Petronila Mlowe
Britain Tanzania Society, UK
Title: Importance of quality assurance on agribusiness from Tanzania
Biography
Biography: Petronila Mlowe
Abstract
Statement of Problem: Food safety concern is certainly a dividing factor between producers in the least resourced developing countries and the consumers in more developed countries. Small holder producers in developing countries like Tanzania lack quality assurance capabilities which lead to inability to sell agricultural products in more affluent markets that operate under strict food safety standards. An understanding of quality requirements has the potential to boost trade opportunity for small holders and motivate them to commercialise farming. A study carried out in Dar es Salaam Tanzania found that water used to irrigate vegetable was contaminated with various species of microbes. This potentially endangers consumer and make such products not exportable. Purpose of this Study: The study shows that how the problem of quality can be alleviated. The objective was to explore agricultural practices in Tanzania focusing on traceability. Traceability is a legislative part of management plan where stakeholders involved in the food production can track the food production and take relevant action where appropriate. Earlier stages of production have been addressed in previous studies and assessment of microbial quality of vegetables irrigated with polluted waters in Dar es Salaam city, Tanzania therefore for brevity it was excluded. Samples of green beans and avocado was collected from 50 villages in the southern Tanzania and will be tested for microbes, hazardous chemicals and physical contaminants to explore quality assurance practices. Products collected were then sampled using Mass Spectrometry and Liquid Chromatography. Results was statistically analysed and graphs drawn reflecting the findings.