Publication Date
1993
Description
Grass seed of Chloris gayana, Branchiaria ruzizinsis, Cenchrus ciliaris, Panicum maximum and legume seeds of Macroptilium atropurpureum, Neonotonia wightii, Macrotyloma axillare, Stylosanthes spp., Desmodium pp., Centrosema spp. and Macrotyloma axillare are produced by government institutions and small-scale dairy producers in Tanzania. In the last 5 years 2-10 t of seed have been produced annually.· The producers have been responsible for the disposal of seeds. Small-scale seed producers have acquired seed production skills through short courses and farmers' day festivals. The World Food Programme has financed production of improved pasture seeds al government institutions and this has assisted in making seed available to the market. Even then, pasture seed quality has been variable and, as a result, some of ihe small-scale seed producers have used their own seed. Shortage of seed has resulted in increasing prices (range US$2-5/kg). In institutions where pasture seed production potential is high, harvesting and distribution of seeds is carried out with difficulty. This, coupled with limited processing and storage facilities, and distribution problems, have led to loss in seed viability and, consequently, sale of low quality seeds. Case studies of institutional pasture seed production are discussed.
Citation
Kusekwa, M L.; Lugenja, M M.S; Mpiri, D B.; and Msechu, J.K K., "Pasture Seed Production in Tanzania" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 6.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session47/6
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Pasture Seed Production in Tanzania
Grass seed of Chloris gayana, Branchiaria ruzizinsis, Cenchrus ciliaris, Panicum maximum and legume seeds of Macroptilium atropurpureum, Neonotonia wightii, Macrotyloma axillare, Stylosanthes spp., Desmodium pp., Centrosema spp. and Macrotyloma axillare are produced by government institutions and small-scale dairy producers in Tanzania. In the last 5 years 2-10 t of seed have been produced annually.· The producers have been responsible for the disposal of seeds. Small-scale seed producers have acquired seed production skills through short courses and farmers' day festivals. The World Food Programme has financed production of improved pasture seeds al government institutions and this has assisted in making seed available to the market. Even then, pasture seed quality has been variable and, as a result, some of ihe small-scale seed producers have used their own seed. Shortage of seed has resulted in increasing prices (range US$2-5/kg). In institutions where pasture seed production potential is high, harvesting and distribution of seeds is carried out with difficulty. This, coupled with limited processing and storage facilities, and distribution problems, have led to loss in seed viability and, consequently, sale of low quality seeds. Case studies of institutional pasture seed production are discussed.
