Farmers’ Awareness, Practice, Challenges, And Regulatory Needs on Foliar Fertilisers in Tomato Farming, in Tanzania

Abstract

Tomato is the most important vegetable crop in Tanzania; however, its productivity remains low, primarily due to poor soil fertility and limited access to quality agricultural inputs. In recent years, there has been a growing shift toward the use of foliar fertilisers, which are designed to promote rapid nutrient uptake as complementary inputs to soil fertilisation. Although FF products are considered to have great potential, information on farmers’ awareness, usage, and perceptions particularly among smallholders remains limited. This study assessed knowledge, practices, and attitudes toward foliar fertilisers of farmers from Kalenga, Ibangamoyo and Mgera villages in Iringa – Tanzania. The study employed a cross-sectional mixed-methods design and data were collected by structured questionnaires, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Results revealed high awareness (96%) and basic understanding (93%) of foliar fertilisers among smallholder farmers, but  28% of the farmers were confident in their application. A substantial proportion of farmers (43.5%) reported poor efficacy of certain foliar fertilisers, with Super Gro and Victory Booster most frequently identified as ineffective. Despite these concerns, no formal complaints were submitted to regulatory authorities. This was largely attributed to limited awareness of reporting procedures, fear of potential repercussions, and low level of trust in regulatory institutions. Farmers recommended stronger quality control (87.5%), unannounced inspections (76.2%) and digital traceability (66.7%). The study showed a disconnect between product availability and quality assurance, calling for the urgent need for farmer training, market regulation, and improved monitoring systems to ensure safe and effective foliar fertiliser use in Tanzania.