Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute is using Seed Tracker to support the national certification scheme

Published on: April 21, 2020, Submitted by Claudio Proietti on: April 21, 2020, Reporting year: 2019

Sustainable Development Goals Contribution

Tanzania national certification scheme for cassava planting material enacted by Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI) using digital tools (i.e. Seed Tracker) developed in collaboration with RTB program participants.

Website screenshot - NASC Seed Tracker is the official on-line platform of the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) of Nigeria, for registration of seed companies and seed fields with NASC.

IITA scientists developed an app, the Cassava Seed Tracker, to e-certify seed fields. The app allows farmers to locate the availability and purchase high quality, virus-free seed of improved varieties and to be confident of the identity of the variety they are buying. The Seed Tracker can be used on a smart phone to collect and organize seed production information, making it easier for regulatory institutions to register producers, certify seed fields, monitor seed quality, location, variety, and availability. Seed producers can find expert advice on quality seed production, and information to help buy and sell certified seed. Seed Tracker allows real-time information exchange between producers, regulators and buyers, saving time and money. The Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI) has started pilot testing the app to make seed certification more efficient, accessible and cost-effective.