Dutch Embassy, TAHA Initiates Special Horticulture Seed Platform
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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