In the 1970s the government launched national tree planting campaigns to rehabilitate degraded environments. This created high demand of tree seeds of local and introduced species for various end uses. The government recognized the seriousness of the situation and this led to the establishment of the National Tree Seed Programme (NTSP) under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism in 1989. The objective was to enhance sustainable supply of high quality tree seeds and other propagating materials as demanded in Tanzania. Following the government reforms, National Tree Seed Programme (NTSP) has been transformed into Tanzania Tree Seed Agency (TTSA) with the purpose of enhancing sustainable supply of forest products and environmental conservation by producing, procuring and marketing high quality tree seeds and other propagating materials.

The roles of TTSA are as follows:

• To provide high quality tree seed and other propagating materials for different end uses;
• To provide technical support for awareness creation and facilitation of customers in raising seedlings from seed supplied by TTSA;
• To maintain a well managed and financially self–sustaining Agency.

 

OBJECTIVES:

TTSA was established with the following objectives;

• Identify, establish and manage good quality tree seed sources;
• Ensure proper seed handling process for at least 130 tree species;
• Conduct extension services to all TTSA major customers on proper use of tree seed.;
• Prepare and distribute relevant technical information about TTSA products to all major and small customers.