The Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) Agency has intensified efforts to improve the availability of quality tree seeds by training forest officers on scientific methods of identifying, selecting and collecting seeds from superior trees.
The training, which began on September 22, 2026, at the Sao Hill Tree Plantation in Iringa Region, is aimed at strengthening the supply of high-quality seeds needed for raising healthy seedlings and supporting tree-planting efforts across the country.
Opening the training, TFS Deputy Commissioner for Conservation in charge of the Directorate of Support Services and Administration, DCC Emmanuel Wilfred Kiboko, said quality seeds were critical to producing strong seedlings and, ultimately, establishing productive and sustainable forests.
He said TFS would continue investing in staff training to equip forest officers with modern knowledge and technologies needed to improve seed collection and conservation.
“Let us use the knowledge we are acquiring as we return to our respective duties because the institution’s goal is to ensure sustainable forests for the current and future generations,” DCC Kiboko said.
He urged the officers to adhere to professional guidelines, procedures and public service regulations while applying the skills gained from the training in their respective areas of work.
He also called on them to properly maintain the equipment provided to them to ensure it remains useful for a long period.
The training comes amid concerns over a shortage of specialised personnel involved in tree-seed collection.
According to Senior Assistant Commissioner for Conservation and Manager of the Tree Seed Biology Section, SACC Fandey H. Mashimba, the number of seed collectors has declined following the retirement of experienced staff.
He said TFS currently had only five seed collectors, some of whom were also approaching retirement, creating a need to build a new generation of specialists.
To address the skills gap, TFS is implementing the “Enhanced Conservation of 57 Highly Threatened Tanzanian Tree Species” project, funded by the Franklinia Foundation, coordinated by the Missouri Botanical Garden in the United States and implemented by TFS.
Under the project, 10 specialised climbing and seed-collection equipment sets have been procured, while training has been provided to 10 new staff members.
Mr Mashimba said the training would strengthen the capacity of TFS personnel to identify suitable trees, select quality seed sources and collect seeds using professional standards.
“This training will strengthen the identification, selection and collection of seeds from superior trees in accordance with professional principles, increase the number of specialists in the country and help meet the demand for quality tree seeds,” he said.
The initiative is expected to strengthen Tanzania’s capacity to produce quality planting material while supporting efforts to conserve threatened tree species and promote sustainable forest management.