Phone+255 27 2548054

E-Mailinfo@tasta.or.tz

        

Phone+255 27 2548054

        

About Us

TASTA is a non-governmental organization established and registered by the Registrar   of Societies in 2002 to provide a forum for interaction and information sharing among seed companies, represent interests of the seed industry in Tanzania, Africa, globally, and promote the development of the seed sub sector. The association started with 8 members. As of 2020  had  increased  to  57 out of 67 Registered seed companies in the country by Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI)

Supported by Ministry of Agriculture, the process of establishing TASTA started 1999 after trade liberalization in Tanzania. The Tanzania Seed Company (TANSEED) then, solely   seed parastatal was closing operations due to  shift in government policy. Their marketing manager Mr. Bob Shuma  out of passion for seed, mobilized 8 existing companies to establish the association. These included 3 Dutch,2Kenyan,2local,1 multinational. He has since served as its CEO building the association to a strong   reputable public private partnership entity.

The newly established association among few in Africa  was supported by American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) by facilitating  TASTA CEO   working and learning missions to Kenya and South Africa to  share how seed associations were run. Others but not least, included DANIDA who enhanced the efforts by funding more trips locally and internationally. PLANTUM of Nederland who injected funds to run the Secretariat. ASARECA who funded stakeholder meetings and later Harmonization of Seed Laws and Regulations in East Africa an activity later enhanced by East African Community.

More so USAID Feed the Future Southern Africa Project who also funded SADC Seed Harmonized Regulations and USAID Feed the Future East Africa for molding the CEO as “Champion of Change” including a trip to USAID G8 to endorse Commitments for implementation of specific reforms under the Cooperation Framework of the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition. These reforms have since been achieved through support from Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and Government of Tanzania.

 Thereafter, TASTA, advocated for the enactment of  a new ACT to guide  seed trade  compliances. This was successful.  The new Seed ACT 2003 and the Regulations 2007 was enacted. The Act recognizes TASTA as the representative of private sector also member of the National Seed Committee. The same did put TASTA in a strategic position to promote the growth of the seed sub sector, serve as the voice of  the seed industry and build  capacities  of its members.

TASTA has diverse membership categories in its Constitution which can be drawn from national associations, public and private seed enterprises and associate organizations. To demonstrate strengthened relationship (PPP)with the Government, Agricultural Seed Agency(ASA) is a committed member of TASTA providing facilitating services and products to the industry. This puts TASTA in strategic position to promote growth of the seed sub sector, serve as the link and strong voice of seed stakeholders, also build capacities of its members.
According to African Seed Access Index Report (TASAI 2021) performance of TASTA compared to seed trade association in other African countries is overall ranked as second only to SANSOR in South Africa

Our Vision

A vibrant and collaborative agricultural industry with reliable inputs and competitive markets for farmers’ crops, and innovative and educated farmers with diverse production, quality seeds, improved yields, and higher quality of life.

Our Mission

To develop the private seed sub-sector in Tanzania by providing a forum for evidence-based interactions, information sharing and capacity building for seed stakeholders.

 

Strategic

Objectives

  • To improve policy advocacy and dialogue capacity for a conducive business environment in the seed sub-sector.
  • To enhance human quantity and competence of human resources
  • To improve responsiveness and accountability of governance and management practices
  • To increase the range and value of demand driven services that will attract and retain members.
  • To enhance institutional and financial sustainability

Core Values

Sustainability

TASTA believes that the sub-sector’s sustainability for future generations is of utmost importance. The preservation of our nation’s natural and the economic sustainability of our businesses and organisations are vital to this end.

Quality Driven

Committed to excelling in all that we do.

Integrity

Adhere to the highest standards of behavior.

Leadership

Provide forums, avenues and opportunities for members, staff and partners to take the initiative to direct, guide, motivate and deliver.

Engage

Encourage and invite participation and leadership by members and stakeholders in the activities of the TASTA.