Bayer East Africa has awarded its motorbike to a farmer in Mwanza after participating in the Dekalb Mafanikio Shambani national campaign which to strengthen food security and agricultural resilience within Tanzania
The ongoing campaign engages farmers in conversations about the importance of utilizing certified seeds to improve agricultural productivity.
Since the launch of the campaign in early August, Bayer has rewarded several farmers across the country with assorted prizes such as knapsack sprayers, smartphones and hand planters among others which are essential tools for modern farming. The campaign will run for the next four months ensuring more farmers will have the opportunity to verify their quality seed while stand a chance to win with every purchase.
While receiving the motorbike Revocatus Michael Kamaleki said the motorbike is a useful addition to his farming noting it lifts the transportation cost of his harvest from the farm to the market.
“I am overjoyed for receiving this motorbike which will go a long way in moving my harvest from the farm to the market. It is a real campaign, with real rewards. I would like to encourage other farmers from Mwanza to start participating in the campaign to win valuable prizes,” he said.
Kamaleki said he participated by purchasing 25 pieces of the Dekalb maize seeds and won after scratching on the verification code on the packaging of the seeds and sending it to confirm authenticity from Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI).
Speaking on the farmer awarding, Mwinyi Sango from Bayeremphasized the significance of certified seeds in addressing the challenges posed by climate change and unpredictable weather patterns.
. “Today, we celebrate not only the winner but also the commitment of our farmers to adopt practices that enhance their productivity. There is no food security in this country without smallholder farmers, and by encouraging the use of certified seeds, we can help them achieve better yields and contribute to the nation’s food security,” he added.
Data collated by the United Nations, Tanzania faces persistent food security and chronic malnutrition challenges, with approximately 1 million people experiencing acute food insecurity exacerbated by changing rainfall patterns, prolonged drought and extreme weather events which affect smallholder farmers who rely on predictable weather conditions for their livelihoods.
The DEKALB maize hybrid varieties contain unique traits which are specifically designed for diverse ecological zones, including areas with low rainfall and those with high agricultural potential.
“Our goal is to ensure that farmers can depend on a successful crop harvest, regardless of the weather conditions they encounter,” he added.
Bayer EA remains committed to equip farmers with high-quality seeds and other agricultural solutions in efforts topromote sustainable food production across the region.
