Commercialization of the Tanzania's Food systems to catalyze growth and resilience

Mpango Maalum

Flowers

Mnyororo wa thamani na maelezo ya kina kuhusu mazao ya flowers — Tier 2

Maelezo ya Jumla

Kuhusu Flowers

Maua na mimea ya mapambo ni sekta inayokua kwa kasi nchini Tanzania, hasa kwa ajili ya masoko ya nje. Pyrethrum ni mmea muhimu wa dawa ya asili unaotumika kutengeneza dawa za wadudu.

Mnyororo wa Thamani

Mnyororo wa thamani unahusisha wakulima, wachakataji, wasafirishaji na wauzaji nje. Maua mengi yanasafirishwa nje ya nchi kwa ndege kutokana na uharibifu wao.

Flowers

Kipaumbele Tier 2

Idadi ya Mazao 1

Jumla ya Mikoa 3+

Mazao

Maelezo ya Kina ya Mazao — Tier 2

Bonyeza zao kuona taarifa za washiriki katika msururu wa thamani

1. Input & Service Supply

Pyrethrum farmers rely on specialized inputs and support:

Seed & seedling program: PCT (Pyrethrum Company of Tanzania) provides high-quality seeds and seedlings as part of its annual investment. Significant R&D investment by PCT/MGK to find better seedstocks, organic pest control, and fertilizers.
Extension services: PCT provides essential extension services to farmers, including training on good agricultural practices.
Flower driers: PCT has funded over 180 flower driers across growing regions to help farmers properly dry flowers and preserve pyrethrin content.
Digital platforms: Lutheran World Relief's Pareto ni Pesa program introduced digital farmer profiling and traceability systems.

2. Production (Cultivation)

Pyrethrum is a high-value cash crop grown in Tanzania's highlands:

Growing regions: Six regions — Mbeya, Iringa, Njombe, Manyara, Songwe, and Arusha. Approximately 13,941 hectares under cultivation.
Farmer base: 10,000–17,000 smallholder farmers engaged in production.
Harvest cycle: Flowers harvested by hand every two weeks for 8–10 months per year.
Annual production: Around 4,200 metric tons (2022/23 season).
Yield improvement: Lutheran World Relief's program achieved a 60% yield increase, raising farmer income per acre from $320 to $750.

Pyrethrum (Tanacetum cinerariifolium) is a daisy-like flower whose natural insecticidal properties make it a critical input for organic farming and public health insecticides worldwide.

3. Collection & Aggregation

PCT operates an extensive collection network:

Buying centers: PCT maintains 200–300 buying centers across all six growing regions.
Buying agents: Over 300 jobs created for agents (mainly youth and women) who provide centralized collection, drying, and marketing services. Use digital weighing scales for transparent transactions.
Guaranteed purchase: PCT guarantees purchase of all farmer production at government-set prices.
Middleman traders: Independent traders who purchase wet flowers (often at lower prices) and export them, reducing pyrethrin content. LWR is working with regulators to institute quality standards.

4. Primary Processing

PCT operates the only processing facility in Tanzania:

Processing factory: PCT operates a multimillion-dollar processing factory with modern equipment.
Pyrethrin extraction: Dried flowers are processed to extract pyrethrin concentrate.
Byproduct: The residual plant material ("marc") is sold to Kincho (Japan) for mosquito coil production.
Product brands: PCT supplies pyrethrin extract to MGK for products like PyGanic and EverGreen Pro. Other registered products include "Super Pyblast" and "Residex P25 MNR EC."

5. Export & Logistics

Pyrethrum is a strategic export commodity for Tanzania:

Export earnings: TZS 19 billion in 2023/24, reported by COPRA.
Farmer payments: TZS 13.4 billion paid to farmers in 2023/24.
Global supply chain: PCT supplies extract to MGK (USA) for finished product manufacturing. Marc shipped to Kincho (Japan) for mosquito coils.
Price: Producer price set by National Pyrethrum Board at TZS 3,700/kg (Nov 2024), potential to reach TZS 5,000/kg based on quality.

6. Global Distribution & End Use

Pyrethrum-derived products reach consumers worldwide through multiple channels:

Public health insecticides: Used in mosquito control programs across Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
Organic farming: PyGanic and similar products are approved for use in organic agriculture.
Household insecticides: EverGreen Pro and similar consumer products for garden and home use.
Mosquito coils: Kincho manufactures slow-burning mosquito coils for Asian and African markets using PCT's marc.

7. Public Health Impact & Consumption

The ultimate value of pyrethrum is in its public health and agricultural impact:

Malaria prevention: Pyrethrum-based insecticides are critical for mosquito control in malaria-endemic regions worldwide.
Food security: Organic farmers use pyrethrin to protect crops without synthetic chemical residues.
Global demand: Increasing preference for natural, organic insecticides is driving growing demand for pyrethrum.
Economic impact: The sector supports 10,000+ smallholder farmer families and generates significant export revenue for Tanzania.

Value Distribution Across the Chain

The economic value captured at each stage of the pyrethrum value chain:

32%Farmers

28%Processor (PCT)

25%Global Distributor (MGK)

15%Retail & End Market

LWR's Pareto ni Pesa program has significantly improved farmer incomes (+60% yield increase, income from $320 to $750 per acre). The government-set producer price provides price certainty, while quality bonuses incentivize proper drying and handling.

Value Chain Flow

Input Suppliers Farmers PCT Buying Centers PCT Factory MGK (Global) Wholesalers End Users

Wadau

Wadau Wakuu katika Mnyororo wa Thamani wa Pyrethrum

Mashirika na kampuni muhimu katika sekta ya pyrethrum nchini Tanzania

Primary Processor & Exporter

Company	Details
Pyrethrum Company of Tanzania (PCT)	Dominant off-taker, processor, and exporter. Majority-owned by MGK (USA) since 2006. Operates multimillion-dollar factory with modern equipment. Maintains 200–300 buying centers across six regions. Funded 180+ flower driers. Provides extension services, seeds/seedlings, guarantees purchase. Supplies pyrethrin extract to MGK. Sells marc to Kincho (Japan) for mosquito coils.

Global Parent Company & End Customers

Company	Role
MGK (McLaughlin Gormley King)	US-based insecticide manufacturer. Majority owner of PCT since 2006. Brands: PyGanic (organic farming), EverGreen Pro (public health). Provides financial, capital, and technical support.
Sumitomo Chemical	Japanese parent company of MGK.
Kincho	Major Japanese customer purchasing marc for slow-burning mosquito coil production.

Development Partners & NGOs

Organization	Role
Lutheran World Relief (LWR)	Part of Corus International. Implements Pareto ni Pesa program with PCT since 2020. Reached ~24,000 farmers, registered 334 pyrethrum groups. Digital platforms. 60% yield increase. Income from $320 to $750/acre. Women's participation from 30% to 40%. Created 300+ buying agent jobs.

Regulatory & Government Bodies

Organization	Role
National Pyrethrum Board	Government oversight. Director: Lucas Ayo. Sets producer prices (TZS 3,700/kg, potential TZS 5,000/kg for quality).
COPRA	Regulatory authority. Director General: Irene Madeje Mlola. Reports export earnings (TZS 19B in 2023/24) and farmer payments (TZS 13.4B).
Ministry of Agriculture	Supports quality production and provides guidance.

Buying Agents & Intermediaries

Category	Role
PCT Buying Agents	300+ jobs (youth and women). Centralized collection, drying, marketing. Use digital weighing scales. Example: Sarah Jeremia (Mbeya).
Middleman Traders	Purchase wet flowers at lower prices, reducing pyrethrin content. LWR working with regulators on quality standards.

Smallholder Farmers

Category	Details
Smallholder farmers	10,000–17,000 farmers across 6 regions. 13,941 ha cultivated. 4,200 MT annual production. Harvest every 2 weeks for 8–10 months/year. Examples: Angelina (Iringa), Mbozyo Sungula, Lyata Pius Mwanyale.

Key Production Regions

Region	Status
Iringa	Major production area (Western Highlands)
Mbeya	Significant production area
Songwe	Growing production region
Njombe	Production region
Manyara	Production region
Arusha	Production region

Tanzania is one of the world's leading producers of pyrethrum, a natural insecticide extracted from chrysanthemum flowers. The sector is vertically integrated through PCT/MGK, with strong development partner support from LWR. Growing global demand for natural, organic insecticides presents significant growth opportunities for Tanzania's pyrethrum sector.