Brazil supports TARI with equipment worth 700m/-
THE Brazilian Embassy in Tanzania has extended support of agricultural equipment, worth 700m/-, to the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) – Ukiriguru Centre in Misungwi District, to support modern cotton farming.
The aid has been made through a-10 year ‘Cotton Victoria’ project, which is implemented in Tanzania, Kenya and Burundi, at a tune of over 5.8 million US dollars, from Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC).
TARI Director General, Dr Geofrey Mkamilo, said during the handing over ceremony that the aid is composed of, among others, power tillers and rotary hoe cultivators and laboratory, farm preparations and seed sowing equipment. Others are seed storage and workshop facilities, as well as pesticides.
“We are much thankful to the Brazilian government for extending this support,” he said, insisting that it will well be utilised to improve cotton yields.
The Cotton Victoria project kicked- off in the 2016/2017 cotton farming season and will end in 2024/2025.
So far, the project has enhanced capacity building to farmers on modern and best cotton farming techniques, including application of important farming principles, such as 60 centimetres between the lines and 30 centimetres between holes.
Such a principle doubles the harvests as it makes 44,444 crop plants per acre, compared to previous 22,222 plants, said the TARI top boss.
The Director for TARI Ukiriguru, Mr Paul Saidia, said that the Centre is mostly responsible for researching on cotton and root crops, including cassava and sweet potatoes.
Through research, the Centre brings in quality seeds and pests fighters, he said, adding that: “We do encourage the farmers to stick to modern farming principles to make their crops more productive, for personal and nation gain.”
Brazilian Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Gustavo Martins, said that his government was looking forward to investing in more agricultural products in the country, to make the crops more productive.
