News in Brief:
– The Netherlands is working with Tanzania to improve potato production by providing high-quality seeds and new varieties, leading to increased yields and income.
– Tanzania’s potato industry is expected to benefit from additional investments along its value chain.
Tanzania and the Netherlands have joined forces to strengthen potato cultivation in the East African nation through the launch of potato variety registration guidelines, according to a news report.
This initiative marks a significant step towards achieving food security and economic growth.
The collaboration between the two countries spans 10 years and has fostered the registration of 16 potato varieties. Notably, 12 of these varieties hail from the Netherlands and they are renowned for their high yields and resistance to drought and pests.
Also, the newly launched guidelines provide a roadmap for farmers and investors to navigate the potato seed registration process in Tanzania. This is expected to attract further investment in the potato value chain, encompassing seed production, processing, and job creation.
Meantime, the Netherlands’ expertise in potato breeding shines through their vast array of over 250 varieties. Each of the varieties cater to specific culinary uses. The introduction of these guidelines will empower Tanzanian farmers to access a wider range of high-quality potato seeds, which will ultimately lead to increased productivity and income generation.
This collaboration extends beyond the guidelines,which is a first step. The Netherlands Embassy, in a statement, restated its commitment to supporting Tanzania’s potato sector. It hopes to do this by increasing collaboration with the government, private entities and NGO’s.
