Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE Tanzania Fertiliser Regulatory Authority (TFRA) has directed manufacturers, importers, distributors and traders to register all types of fertilisers imported or produced locally in 45 days as required by the law.
A TFRA statement issued recently said fertilisers sold in the local market must be registered and dealers were required to obtain permit from the regulatory body.
According to the statement, the TFRA directive is effective from January 11 to February 24 and that beyond the stipulated period punitive action will be taken against dealers selling unregistered fertilisers.
The state-run fertiliser regulatory agency has since its inception under Act No 9 of 2009 spearheaded the enforcement of laws, policies, regulations governing the manufacturing, importation, use of and trade in fertilisers, or fertiliser supplements.
TFRA operates under the Ministry of Agriculture and has the mandate to ensure timely availability of quality fertilisers and fertiliser supplements (FFS) to all farmers in the country at affordable prices.
Under the Fertiliser Act, which provides for fertiliser quality control, fertiliser dealers are required to ensure FFS are packed and labelled in the manner prescribed in the regulations, according to TFRA Executive Director, Dr Stephan Ngailo.
He said the law prohibited the sale or distribution of adulterated or substandard fertilisers or fertiliser supplements.
“In performing its functions, TFRA regulates the quality and trade of FFS in the entire value chain, including manufacturing, importation, domestic distribution, storage and exportation,” he explained recently.
The agency’s major four function categories related to FFS are quality assurance, domestic manufacturing, domestic and international trade facilitation, legal and international relations, research, training and extension.
Tanzania has 10 types of fertilisers and two fertiliser supplement factories with 30 per cent and 56 per cent installed capacity utilisation respectively.
