Farmers, Producer Upbeat On Use Of Nutrient-Rich Fertiliser

As paddy and maize growers in Kigoma,  Songwe, Iringa regions  remain upbeat on newly introduced nutrient-rich MiCROP fertiliser, Yara Tanzania Commercial Manager John Meshack said in Iringa their company was not only happy about the emerging development but was following-up closely the consumption trend so that future production corresponds with farmers’ fertiliser requirements.

“We have been heartened the by manner   farmers, leaders, agronomists and extension officers have received the fertilizer.     The drift towards fertiliser use is very encouraging and is favour of better yield. We are closely following up consumption inclination so that in future we produce based on farmers’ needs,” the manager said.  Yara is producing the fertiliser in its Dar es Salaam factory and production experts are anxious to get feedback from farmers and agronomists.

Yara, district government leaders and no-state actors are jointly popularizing the fertilizer that is loaded with zinc, sulphur micro-nutrients in order to increase maize and paddy production. Yara maintains that Tanzania’s agriculture has historically suffered from sulphur deficiency, arguing that production of that kind of fertiliser would be one of the innovative solutions to farmer’s production snags and impediments. Maize is Tanzania’s staple food and rice is a popular national dish.

 Farmers from Songwe, Njombe and Iringa regions were being encouraged to take advantage of on-going rains and use the fertiliser in their farms.

 In Kigoma,  Kasulu District Council Agriculture Officer, Mr Masalo Aron, said   Kigoma Region’s soil was largely nutrient deficient, explaining that the fertiliser was being popularised to overcome that challenge.

“We consider this to be a new welcome trend.  Success in farming starts with the farmer knowing the grade of his soil.  Not every type of soil is appropriate for every crop.  Similarly not every type of fertiliser is appropriated for  every type of crop,” he said.

Yara Western Zonal Commercial Manager, Mr Philipo Mwakipesile, said the type of fertiliser was being produced to solve the soil nutrient deficiency in many parts of Tanzania, adding that the fertiliser would be delivered to farmers’ requirements. 

A Kasulu farmer, Mr Gelva Daniel welcomed the new push to use fertiliser, saying based on what experts were saying,  maize and paddy production was bound to increasing by using the fertiliser. “I am on the brink of becoming a new farmer,” he quipped.

Another farmer, Mr Pastory  Jenga, said farmers were using the fertiliser according to instructions given by experts and that they were eager to give testimony to successful farming. “We expect better yield because of use of the fertiliser and the better knowledge we have been given. We are waiting to be witnesses of increased production,” he said.

The fertiliser was launched in Songwe Region in the first week of this month. Songwe was followed by Njombe, Iringa and now Kigoma regions. All we wait for are thousands of success stories of the game changing product “MiCROP Fertiliser” farmers.