By Valentine Oforo
A fresh impetus has cropped up targeting to boost the country’s horticulture sector through establishment of the so called ‘Tanzania Horticulture and Potato Seed Platform (THPSP)'.
The platform is the brainchild of a good working ties between the Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA) and the Netherlands Embassy.
The two sides are currently bridging efforts to group together the horticulture and potato farming groups with an eye to set up a vital podium to help unlocking the potential of the high value crops seed industry.
As per the plans, the THPSP’s headquarters will be sheltered at the Arusha-based TAHA Head Office, targeting to coordinate stakeholder action on critical challenges upsetting the relevant seed industry.
Launched over the weekend in Arusha City, the platform is projected to bring about major reforms and changes in pushing for the smooth metamorphosis of the country’s horticulture and potato crops seeds.
The Director of Crops Development at the Agriculture Ministry, Mr Nyasebwa Chimagu hailed the stakeholders involving in setting up the development, termed formation of the platform as the great milestone in the sector.
The stakeholders, apart from TAHA and the Embassy Netherlands, incorporates the Tanzania Seed Trade Association (TASTA), the World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) the Southern Agricultural Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT), and the Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI).
“This initiative contributes to realizing the objectives of the National Horticulture Development Strategy 2021-2031 as the sixth strategic objective focuses to strengthen coordination of the institutional and policy framework,” Mr Chimagu unveiled.
He added that: “This good approach also aligns perfectly with the agenda and aspirations of the ministry,”
For his part, the Dutch Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Wiebe de Boer hailed TAHA for taking the lead in organising the launch of the helpful platform, saying the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (NRO) will provide the seeds to operationalise the platform.
Mr Baldwin Shuma, who is the TASTA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) said the general objective of the platform was to further strengthen partnership and coordination among the participating enterprises.
And apart from the Dutch Embassy, the Alliance for the Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) have also expressed interest to support the initiative.
According to TAHA development manager, Mr Anthony Chamanga, horticulture accounts for 17.5 percent in the Tanzania’s food security basket.
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