THE Tanzania Fertiliser Regulatory Authority (TFRA) is intensifying its drive to boost agricultural yields by expanding its collaboration with cooperative societies.

Henerico Renatus, the TFRA southern highlands zone quality control officer, made this affirmation at a fertiliser business initiation session in the municipality lately, in an event that gathered 97 participants.

Participation in the training signals a strong commitment from the private sector to elevate knowledge and service standards across the agricultural value chain, he said, noting that this renewed partnership is focused on establishing more fertiliser distribution centers in rural areas and deepening farmers' and traders' understanding of proper fertiliser use.

TFRA is heavily investing in these partnerships to ensure that reliable outlets for quality fertilisers are readily accessible to rural communities, he stated, noting that the highly sensitive and service-oriented nature of the fertiliser business demands traders who are knowledgeable, ethical and skilled.

“This is crucial to guaranteeing that farmers receive the correct products—those with proper nutrient levels straight from the factory and free from adulteration,’ he said, elaborating that the training curriculum is meticulously designed to cover foundational aspects of the trade.

This includes what fertiliser is and the types of nutrients it contains, proper storage techniques to maintain quality and the legal framework governing the business, including potential offenses and their penalties, he explained.

“We want fertiliser traders to understand the laws that guide them, the fines associated with different violations and how to comply,” he said, underscoring the TFRA’s focus on strengthening accountability.

Success of fertiliser use on the farm relies significantly on the knowledge farmers receive from traders, who often serve as their primary source of technical information, he said, detailing a balanced nutrition format essential for maximizing crop health and yield.

These are scaled up in the planting stage where fertiliser rich in phosphorus is recommended for strong root development, followed by a 21 days post-planting period where high-nitrogen fertilisers are applied to build essential leaf mass, he stated.

There is a further 42 days post-planting period where fertilisers containing potassium support flowering, grain filling and overall crop formation, he elaborated, reminding participants of the format of right fertiliser, right place, right rate of application and right time for such use.

The rules are the bedrock for reducing nutrient loss and increasing productivity, he said, pointing out that the Fertiliser Act makes it mandatory to conduct training for all new entrants into the business to ensure they can offer accurate and professional advisory services.

He set out the TFRA motto of ‘Wealth in the farm, Fertiliser as the weapon.’ meant to promote proper fertiliser application as requiring expertise and caution. “Fertiliser is a weapon used in the field. If applied incorrectly, it can destroy crops, but when used properly it can lift a farmer out of poverty,” he cautioned.

The southern highlands zone is covered by an ambitious target for farmers to practice proper crop management, to achieve a yield of 25 to 30 bags per acre, capitalizing on the region’s reliable rainfall and favorable climate, he said.

Years of initiation training are yielding tangible results as the zone now leads the country in proper fertiliser use, farmer awareness having significantly improved while fertiliser traders are noticeably more professional. This is evidence of the success of TFRA’s collaborative efforts with cooperative stakeholders, he added.