KILOSA District Council in the Morogoro Region is now leading in the use of subsidized fertilizer compared to other districts within the region.

Shaka Hamdu Shaka, the Kilosa District Commissioner, highlighted this achievement during a recent meeting with local farmers.

Shaka emphasized that, despite Kilosa's leading position in fertilizer use, there is still a need for agricultural experts to guide farmers on the correct application of fertilizer to maximize their farming results. He also urged farmers to register in the digital subsidized fertilizer system to continue benefiting from government opportunities available to farmers nationwide.

Furthermore, Shaka advised farmers to adhere strictly to instructions provided by agricultural experts on proper fertilizer use, rather than relying on potentially misleading advice from other farmers.

"The government has made significant investments in the agricultural sector, including hiring more agricultural extension officers, subsidizing fertilizers, providing equipment for extension officers, and increasing the sector’s budget. As farmers, it is crucial that we make the most of these opportunities to achieve better results on our farms," Shaka said.

Elizabeth Bolle, Acting Director of Regulatory Services at the Tanzania Fertilizer Regulatory Authority (TFRA), reported that during the 2023/2024 farming season, Kilosa District used a total of 4,554.8 tons of fertilizer, up from 2,652.1 tons in the 2022/2023 season—an increase of 1,902.7 tons.

Bolle noted that 23,852 farmers have registered in the digital system, surpassing the target of 20,000 registrations for Kilosa District. 

However, she pointed out that there are still farmers who have not registered. She encouraged all farmers in Kilosa and other districts in the Morogoro Region who have yet to register to do so with their ward and village executive officers to access the subsidized fertilizer provided by the Ministry of Agriculture.

According to Bolle, while many farmers have benefited from the subsidized fertilizer program, maintaining an accurate registration database will help the government develop effective plans to advance the agriculture sector and provide additional services such as extension support, market information, and financial services.

Morogoro Region, known for its diverse crop production—including maize, rice, sugarcane, spices, vegetables, and fruits—aims to enhance productivity through this meeting. The "Agriculture is Fertilizer" campaign seeks to promote the correct use of fertilizer and encourage farmer registration to improve agricultural outcomes.