Tanzania Agricultural Seeds Agency (ASA) has entered into a contract with the farmers at the Building Better Tomorrow (BBT)'s Savings and Credit Co-operative (SACCOS) at the Chinangali II seed estate in Dodoma region for the production of at least 300 hactares of sunflower seeds.

BBT is the 2022-2030 initiative designed by the ministry of agriculture in partnership with key institutions, focusing to enhance the engagement of youth in the agricultural sector for sustainable and improved livelihoods.

Its further strategic objective is to inspire youth through diverse training, mentoring and coaching.

At Chinangali II seed farm, a total of 260 young farmers, including males and females, are teaming-up to produce sunflower seeds.

Speaking during a special tour of the project, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ASA, Dr Sophia Kashenge expressed delight for the way the project is fetching targeting results.

She observed that the development target to further cementing efforts by the government to heighten production of the edible oil raw crop in the country. 

Dr Kashenge unveiled that the state-owned seeds Agency was keen to work in sync with the private sector in order to maximise production of the improved kernels for the economic cash crop.

"It's very encouraging to see how best the young farmers in this farm have so far managed to grow the sunflower seeds at the needed standards," Dr Kashenge expressed when visited the major farm.

She said the country was facing a tall shortage of sunflower seeds hence more efforts and strategies are needed to be implemented to help curtailing the situation. 

"We have decided to cooperate with the farmers under the BBT program to ensure for improved production of sunflower seeds, and we’re still mulling over available possibilities to engage more players in the private sector to venture into the side," she expressed. 

On his side, the chairman of the Chinangali II BBT's SACCOS, Dismas Massage said the sunflower seeds under the fields are flourishing successive. 

He said the farmers engaging into the project are working round the clock to ensure for better results, unveiled that they're expecting to yield at least 100 tons from the project, if all goes well.

In general efforts to improve performance of the sector, the government is working to ensure at least 15,000 tons of improved sunflower seeds are produced by next year, the development which will significantly reduce pressure on cooking oil demand.

Total demand of sunflower seed in the country is around 5,252 MT while availability of improved seeds is less than 400 MT.

ASA has a role of promoting private participation in seed production and multiplication, whereby the Agency provides potential services to private seed companies.