A new chapter for Tanzania’s seed industry has taken root in Engorora Village, Arusha, following the official opening of Seed Co Tanzania’s state-of-the-art seed processing and warehousing facility, an approximately TZS 18 billion (Tanzanian Shillings) investment expected to strengthen local seed production, create economic opportunities and contribute to Tanzania’s long-term food security.

For farmers, the investment means increased capacity to deliver quality seed when and where it is needed. For the people of Engorora, it brings employment, community investment and opportunities across the agricultural value chain, while strengthening Arusha’s growing role in Tanzania’s agricultural economy.

Tanzania’s Minister for Agriculture, Hon. Daniel Chongolo, officially commissioned the facility, highlighting the importance of strong partnerships between government and the private sector in developing the country’s agricultural sector and improving farmers’ access to quality agricultural inputs.

He called for continued investment in local seed production to reduce dependence on imported seed and strengthen the availability of quality planting material for Tanzanian farmers.

“We would like to encourage agricultural businesses to align their investments with Tanzania’s national development priorities, including ambitions to increase agriculture’s contribution to the economy by 2030,” he said.

Seed Co Group Board Chairperson Pearson Gowero said the investment demonstrated the Group’s long-term confidence in Tanzania and the country’s agricultural potential.

“Today, this is an investment in seed security as well as food security, local value addition and regional growth. It is a demonstration of our confidence in Tanzania, our farmers and a sustainable agricultural future,” Mr. Gowero said.

He said the approximately TZS 18 billion (Tanzanian Shillings) investment, covering land acquisition, construction, processing equipment and supporting infrastructure, had resulted in a facility with a built footprint of about 7,100 square metres. The development includes a modern seed processing and packaging plant, storage facilities, offices and employee amenities.

The facility has also been equipped with advanced seed-processing technology, including a modern colour sorter designed to identify and remove defective seed, further strengthening Seed Co’s quality-control, germination and certification processes.

Mr. Gowero said the investment was particularly significant as Seed Co Tanzania continued to expand local seed production. The company currently produces approximately 50% of its seed requirements locally, up from 42% two years ago, and intends to progressively increase that share.

“For farmers, its value is practical: the right quality seed, in the right quantity, delivered to the right location at the right time,” Mr. Gowero said.

To support this drive, Seed Co has also been investing in irrigation infrastructure, with more than 1,000 hectares supported to date. Through the company’s partnership with the Agricultural Seed Agency at Dabaga Farm in Iringa, approximately 220 hectares of irrigation infrastructure has been installed.

Beyond seed production, the investment is expected to create wider economic opportunities for the host community of Engorora and the broader Arusha area, including opportunities linked to farming, transport, distribution and other services across the agricultural value chain.

Seed Co has also committed to repairing and compacting a one-kilometre community access road, establishing a scholarship fund for 10 promising students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and supporting infrastructure improvements at Engorora Primary School.

And Seed Co International Managing Director Clive Mugadza paid tribute to the people and partners who helped turn the investment into reality.

He thanked the Seed Co Group Board for its continued support and confidence in Seed Co Tanzania, saying the investment demonstrated what the business could achieve with strong backing from the wider Group.

And Seed Co International Managing Director Clive Mugadza paid tribute to the people and partners who helped turn the investment into reality.

He thanked the Seed Co Group Board for its continued support and confidence in Seed Co Tanzania, saying the investment demonstrated what the business could achieve with strong backing from the wider Group.

Mr. Mugadza also expressed appreciation to the leadership and residents of Engorora Village for welcoming Seed Co into the community, noting that the area had now become home to Seed Co Tanzania.

He further recognised the company’s seed growers for their contribution to producing quality seed and thanked Seed Co’s key distributors across Tanzania for ensuring its products reached farmers and for representing the company within farming communities.