Unlocking Investment and Innovation in Dryland Crops: A Business Forum on Sorghum and Groundnut in Tanzania

27 September 2025, Tanzania: A Business-to-Business Forum in Tanzania is strengthening seed systems and value chains for sorghum and groundnut by driving investment, innovation, and farmer opportunities.

A Stronger Seed System for Lasting Impact

In Tanzania, the seed sector operates through a blend of formal, semi-formal, and informal systems. Together, these systems connect public and private sector actors involved in research, early generation seed production, distribution, and regulation. 

At the heart of this system, CIMMYT and the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) have led efforts to strengthen seed delivery for dryland crops like sorghum and groundnut. Through strategic partnerships and market-responsive models, they aim to get improved seed varieties into the hands of farmers—on time and at an affordable price. 

To accelerate these efforts, a Business-to-Business (B2B) Forum was held to foster investment and link key players across the sorghum and groundnut value chains. The forum was a space to co-create strategies, showcase innovations, and build partnerships to scale up delivery models and adoption of new technologies in Tanzania’s drylands. 

Building Resilience Through Research and Collaboration

Dryland agriculture in Tanzania holds untapped potential, despite challenges. Over the past decade, CGIAR centers working with NARS have developed stress-tolerant, farmer-preferred varieties supported by improved agronomic practices. 

• For sorghum, at least seven improved varieties are now available, featuring traits like Striga resistance, high yields, and adaptability for food and brewing. 
• For groundnut, eight varieties offer drought resistance, disease tolerance, and higher nutritional value. 

Yet, average yields remain low—about 1.1 t/ha for sorghum and 0.7 t/ha for groundnut. This disconnects between research success and on-farm productivity highlights the need for a holistic, market-responsive approach that goes beyond variety development to tackle constraints along the entire value chain. 

Scaling Up Quality Seed

Tanzania is working toward seed self-sufficiency by 2030, which calls for stronger systems and more capacity among local seed producers, especially women and youth. 

The B2B forum spotlighted some of the newest varieties developed by TARI and CGIAR, responding to drought, pests, and diseases while meeting market demand for food, feed, processing, and brewing. Investors and entrepreneurs learned how these varieties are not just research products—they’re business opportunities. 

Table 1: Recently Released Sorghum and Groundnut Varieties: Traits and Market Positioning 

Value Chain	Variety Name	Year of Release	Key Characteristics	Positioning Insights
Groundnut	TARIKA 1 & TARIKA 2	2024	• Tan seed color • Maturity: 90–100 days • Yield: 1.5–2.0 t/ha • Rust and leaf spot resistance • Medium-sized seeds • Suitable for confectionery and processing	Fit within the medium-tan market segment. Poised to replace Tanzanut 2015 and Mtwaranut with earlier maturity.
Sorghum	TARISOR3, TARISOR4, TARISOR5	2025	• Brown seeded • Maturity: 105–115 days • Yield: 3.7–4.5 t/ha • Midge resistant • Drought tolerant • Used for food, feed, and brewing • Adapted to altitudes of 100–2000 m	Replacing TARISOR1 with shorter maturity and improved traits.
	TARISOR6	2025	• White seeded (Hybrid) • Maturity: 100–110 days • Yield: 4.1–5.0 t/ha • Suitable for food, feed, and brewing • Adapted to altitudes of 100–2000 m	First hybrid sorghum developed by TARI; high yield potential.
	TARISOR7	2025	• White seeded • Maturity: 85–90 days • Yield: ~4.0 t/ha • Midge resistant • Drought tolerant • Used for food, feed, and brewing • Adapted to altitudes of 100–2000 m

Linking Business, Policy, and Farmers

With over 100 participants, the forum brought together a wide range of actors—from seed producers to financial institutions, processors, and agribusinesses. 

Key institutions like the Cereal and Other Produce Regulatory Authority (COPRA) and the National Economic Empowerment Council (NEEC) were present to explain how policy frameworks can support private sector engagement and rural entrepreneurship. 

NEEC also shared tools to help SMEs access financing and grow sustainably, while COPRA emphasized the importance of regulatory alignment to improve market systems. 

Matchmaking for Growth

A matchmaking session helped connect businesses with partners across the value chain. Here are some highlights: 

Table 2: Business Matchmaking Outcomes from the B2B Forum 

Service Provider	Customer/Partner	Business Discussions
Agricom	Kilimo Tumaini la Jasiri (KITUJA)	Discussed labor-saving technologies, including groundnut shelling and cleaning machines. The conversation focused on machine functionality. Contacts were exchanged for follow-up.
	EONICE Food Products	Explored how Agricom’s linkages with financial institutions could help EONICE access loans to scale its operations.
NEEC	Seasoning Pallets (Processor)	Sought linkage to financial institutions offering affordable loans for agribusinesses.
TOSCI	QDS Producers	Discussed the high cost of QDS seed packaging. The ODS producers requested a review of packaging costs to improve business viability.
MAFADA Kilimo Trust	BRAC Maendeleo DASPA ALSSEM	Discussed potential collaboration on seed access and distribution.
CIAT	Multiple stakeholders	Engaged on availability and accessibility of bird deterrent technologies and herbicides for sorghum (Haimax) and groundnut (Fennut). Contacts exchanged for future follow-up.
TARI	Olipa Mahala (Farmer) Kikundi – Jukwaa la Wanawake Wakulima Chamwino Gairo – Morogoro	Discussed soil suitability and agronomic practices for sorghum productivity. Farmers expressed interest in timely seed acquisition aligned with the cropping calendar.
BRAC Maendeleo	ALSSEM	Focused on linking BRAC-supported farmers to ALSSEM for access to sorghum seed in the upcoming season.
FARM AFRICA	Zoisa Seeds Singidan Seed Company	Matchmaking aimed at market linkage through village-based advisors. Agreed on collaboration for technology dissemination and joint sorghum demo plots to raise awareness and boost seed demand.
ITRACOM	QDS Farmers	As a new fertilizer company, ITRACOM agreed with QDS farmers to establish demo plots to assess fertilizer performance. Discussed potential for the QDS farmers to become fertilizer agents.
A to Z Company	QDS Farmers Vejos	Focused on access to aflatoxin control products (Aflasafe). Farmers expressed interest in purchasing during the cropping season. Also discussed packaging materials and silage bags, with several clients showing interest.

The Way Forward

Quality seed is fundamental to agricultural transformation. But impact at scale requires an approach that engages the entire value chain—from breeders to agro dealers. 

The B2B forum demonstrated that there’s strong interest and momentum across the sector. Participants identified clear strategies to unlock adoption, scale production, and improve last-mile delivery—alongside policy reforms and investment pathways. 

“Seed is more than an input—it’s a gateway to resilience, better livelihoods, and national food security. With the right partnerships, we can transform dryland agriculture,” one panelist noted. 

As Tanzania invests in its seed sector, the future of sorghum and groundnut farming looks promising—and profitable. 

Also Read: Tropical Agro Unveils AI – Enabled Tech Tools To Tackle India’s 7 Million Tonnes Fruit Loss Problem

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