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The main objective of this study was to assess relationship between multiplication and distribution of certified seeds and cotton yield in the cotton subsector in Tanzania. The study was mainly attributed by the cotton sector Development Strategy (CSDS II: 2009-2015) set forth in 2009. Among other issues the strategic plan aimed at achieving 1,500,000 cotton lint bales (260,000 tones of lint cotton) by 2014/15 from current 685,000 cotton lint bales (120,000 tones of lint cotton) and doubling yield to 1500Kg/Ha by 2014/15 from current 750 Kg/Ha 1000kgs per Ha. Among other strategies put in place to achieving this ambitious plan were to improve and increase efficiency in seed system by introduction of delinted Certified cottonseeds as well as an introduction of contract farming as means to supporting farmers and improve input delivery to farmers; The Tanzanian Cotton Board (TCB) exclusively licensed Quton Tanzania Ltd (QTL) to multiply certified delinted seeds and distribute to farmers as among strategy to achieving its objective The study therefore tried to assess the relationship between the seed system more specific on Multiplication and distribution system of certified delinted seeds and the cotton yield in the Western Cotton Growing Area (WCGA) of Tanzania It is worth to note that cotton yield is attributed by number of variables; it’s therefore difficult to assess the interventions of only three variables i.e. seed multiplication, and distribution of delinted certified seeds. In order to assess the relationship of the above variables. Both quantitative and qualitative description of the situation fine tuned the findings.62 respondents were interviewed cross cutting of all important stake holders including of individual farmers, extension officers, TCB managers, seeds distribution company officers, researchers and multipliers group leaders, research question were designed to provide in depth understanding of the objectives of the study. The interpretation of both qualitative and quantitative methods were deployed in analyzing of data in the study findings
The results show that the use of certified delinted seeds have numerous advantages to farmers and the cotton industry including that; it germinates easily with high percentage with about 90% of germination without problem; it is stable and resistant to diseases and difficulties in climatic condition in early stage of crop growing, farmers use less quantity in terms of seed and hence cost effective in terms of price and conclusively certified delinted seeds were found more productive in yield and had increased percentage of ginning outrun GOT from 33 to 38 and 35 to 40 for saw gin and roller gin respectively thus improving of Tanzanian cotton quality, beside the study levies that certified delinted seed has more yield by 15% when compared to the previous used fuzzy seed The research also shows that farmers based seed multiplication was important as it increases volume and speed of obtaining large amount of certified seeds to the industry at affordable price also income to those farmers directly engaging with seed multiplication through contract farming increases as extra percentage on market price is paid to those farmers engaging with seed Multiplication. It is however noted that increases of input credit to farmers, training and extension services is important to ensure that knowledge transfer on seed technology and benefits are spread among partners concerned The seeds distribution arrangement timing, quality and affordability are related to amount of seeds consumed by farmers and hence yield of cotton in this aspect the study reveals that only few areas in the entire industry had access to delinted seeds i.e. Mara districts, Bariadi in Shinyanga few amount in Maswa and Nzega in Tabora, other places still used fuzzy seeds, the structural arrangements of seeds distribution in those reached areas were satisfying to farmers and other stake holders |
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