President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s three-day working visit to Russia in June is yielding concrete investment outcomes, with Russian agribusiness firm Betaren entering the Tanzanian market through a partnership with Sky Business and Investment Company Ltd. The collaboration aims to distribute high-quality hybrid seeds, fertilizers, and crop protection products to farmers nationwide.
Among the sunflower seed varieties introduced are Bombadier, Daha, Bazik, and Krechet, currently in the final stages of registration before commercial release. Kisarawe Member of Parliament Seleman Jafo, speaking after visiting the company’s pavilion at the Nane Nane Agricultural Exhibition in Dodoma, described the investment as a direct result of the president’s economic Diplomacy.
“This is a major Russian company that has partnered with its Tanzanian counterpart, Sky Business and Investment. We have been informed that field trials of these seed varieties have produced outstanding results,” Jafo said. He noted the improved seeds could potentially double farmers’ harvests, citing an example where a farmer previously harvesting 50 tonnes could increase production to about 100 tonnes under suitable conditions.
Jafo urged seed registration authorities to expedite approvals to enable full-scale operations, emphasizing the investment’s potential to improve farmer incomes and contribute to national economic growth. He highlighted Tanzania’s substantial foreign currency expenditure on edible oil imports, stating that widespread availability of these sunflower seeds could significantly boost domestic production and reduce import dependence.
Sunflower farmer Omary Issa from Bagamoyo, who tested the four seed varieties, confirmed their performance. “These seeds have demonstrated excellent performance, and I am confident they will enable me to earn higher returns through increased sunflower production,” he said.
Sky Business and Investment Commercial Director Said Salum said the partnership was inspired by President Samia’s visit to Russia, during which Russian investors identified numerous business opportunities in Tanzania. “Through this partnership with Betaren, we are committed to ensuring Tanzanian farmers have access to quality agricultural inputs that will increase productivity, strengthen food security, and contribute to the country’s economic growth,” Salum said.
Russian investors have begun exploring opportunities across various sectors, with Betaren among the first to introduce advanced agricultural technologies to the Tanzanian market.
