Tanzania's Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI) is intensifying its oversight of seed quality through laboratory testing, certification and regular inspections of storage facilities to protect farmers from substandard products. The institute's Acting Northern Zone Manager, Erick Nangududa, outlined the measures during a visit to a seed warehouse in Arusha, explaining that TOSCI conducts thorough inspections and laboratory tests on both locally produced and imported seeds before approving them for sale.
The certification process begins when companies submit applications through the TOSCI online system. Inspectors then visit warehouses, collect seed samples and transport them to laboratories for testing. The tests focus on two key measures: seed purity and germination capacity. For maize seeds, TOSCI requires a germination rate of at least 90 per cent. Any seed falling below this threshold fails the test and cannot be certified for sale to farmers. Seeds that fail the purity test are rejected and returned to companies for cleaning before fresh applications can be submitted.
Companies whose seeds pass all required tests receive certification, allowing them to package and distribute products to the market. Seeds which fail certification are prohibited from sale. Nangududa said companies dissatisfied with inspection results can appeal, triggering fresh sampling and laboratory testing. If seeds pass the appeal process, certification proceeds. If they fail again, the decision stands.
Proper storage conditions are essential for maintaining seed quality throughout the supply chain. TOSCI inspectors assess warehouse facilities whenever they visit to collect samples, checking for adequate ventilation, proper spacing between seed bags and warehouse walls, and the use of pallets to prevent direct floor contact. Nangududa cautioned that seed bags placed directly on floors risk moisture damage, even when seeds stored higher up remain in good condition. Poor storage practices can create variations in seed quality within the same batch, causing some farmers to report good results while others experience germination failures from the same seed lot. Seed bags should be kept at least one metre away from warehouse walls, and adequate passages must be maintained between stacks to ensure proper ventilation and easy access during inspections.
For savers and borrowers in Tanzania, reliable seed certification protects agricultural productivity and the ability of farmers to repay loans or generate income for household consumption.