Tanzania pumps 7 billion/- into modern irrigation scheme project for state seed producing farm in Tabora

Tanzania is pumping 7 billion shillings for the installation of the country’s modern irrigation scheme at the Kilimi Seed farm, in Tabora Region.

Hatched in the Nzega District, the initiative focuses to convert the 400 hectares of the Kilimi Farm into an all season seed producing industry that churn out agricultural kernels throughout the year.

Kilimi Farm is managed by the Tanzania Agricultural Seeds Agency (ASA).

The Tanzania Agricultural Seeds Agency’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Sophia Kashenge reveals that the new scheme, among others, will help to boost the quality and quantity of seed production at the farm.

The ASA Kilimi Farm currently produces around 200 tons of seeds per year.

But after the irrigation project flows, the farm will be able to release more than 1000 tons of seeds per annum which is five times the current capacity.

“The government has continued to bankroll the installation of irrigation Infrastructures in a number of seed farms across the country,” Dr Kashenge revealed, adding that such developments will automatically drive improvement in the country’s seed production sector in future.

Dr Kashege is also impressed by both the pace and quality of the installation works for the proposed vital irrigation infrastructure at the Kilimi farm.

The project is being undertaken by the Pro Agro Global Company ltd.

“So far the installation process has gone past 50 percent with four Pivot machines out of the planned seven, being already installed,” the ASA executive stated.

The farm’s irrigation scheme is expected to pump water in July 2023, starting with the 200 hectares of the estate in the first phase of the scheme.

The remaining 200 hectares will, on the other hand, be connected with the irrigation infrastructural network in the second phase of the project.

The Kilimi Seed farm of Nzega, Tabora specializes in the production of agricultural kernels inputs for crops such as Maize, Sunflower, Sorghum and Cassava.

A total of 14 modern irrigation hubs will be installed to cover the entire 400 hectares of the seed producing estate.

The Tanzania Agricultural Seeds Agency, which is a state-owned entity, is also implementing similar irrigation schemes at other seed producing estates in the country such as Msimba in Morogoro and Ngaramtoni in Arusha.

According to the official, each of the farms is being installed with the irrigation infrastructure network to criss-cross around 200 hectares of land with all projects reported to be over 50 percent towards completion.