TANZANIA Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) plans to apply different technologies to produce high yield seeds, unlike those available in the market currently.
TARI’s Director General, Dr Geoffrey Mkamilo, stated this recently, noting that some 35 new technologies will be introduced in 2022/2023 in a bid to support the government’s initiative o to transform agriculture.
He said among them, 15 technologies will be for improving seeds while the other five are for agronomy, five for soil health and the remaining 10 for harvesting. He is optimistic that more farmers will adopt modern technologies in this new financial year.
“We expect to see the number of farmers adopting technologies increase from the current 34.2 per cent to at least 50 per cent,” he noted.
Moreover, he said, TARI will train 5,000 farmers and 500 extension officers on modern farming while 2,000,000 food processors would be given new technology for value addition.
This, he said, will lead to the increased maize productivity from 1.5 tonnes to 4.0 tonnes per hectare, 2.3 tonnes to 4.5 tonnes per hectare in rice production and 1 tonne to 2 tonnes per hectare in millet production.
The DG noted that the ministry has increased research budget and production of seeds from 11.63 bn/- in 2021/2022 to 40.73 bn/- in 2022/2023, being an increase by 250 per cent.
He said the budget would be spent on strengthening availability of improved seeds of cereals from 226.5 tonnes to 1,453 tonnes .
TARI plans to produce 17,000 of such trial cotton seeds as well as 50 types of fruit seeds.
“The aim is to ensure that the agricultural sector budget reaches 10 per cent of the total budget by 2030, and research activities have been given priority,” he underscored.
On the ever-changing climate conditions in the country, he advised farmers to seek expert’s guidance before planting in order to boost agricultural productivity.
He said farmers have to know the fertility of land, the right fertilizer to apply, the right seeds and which crop is suitable for the type of soil.
He noted that the current effects of climate change have hampered agricultural activities.
He said his institution has deployed officers in different parts of the country in an effort to bring services close to farmers.
“I appeal to farmers to contact our officers near them before engaging in farming activity as this will help to boost productivity and help bring development,” he said.
He explained that the institute was established to enhance and strengthen the agricultural researches in Tanzania.
TARI is a semi-autonomous body under the Ministry of Agriculture responsible for all agricultural research activities conducted by the National Agricultural Research System (NARS).
He said its mandate is to conduct, regulate, promote and coordinate all agricultural research activities conducted by public and private research institutes or organizations in the country
TARI aims at strengthening the national agricultural research system to enhance development and dissemination of technologies, innovations and management practices (TIMPs) to address the real needs of farmers and other agricultural stakeholders.
TARI has a network various centres in Makutupora, Ilonga, Selian,Ukiriguru, Naliendele, Mlingano,Tumbi, Uyole and Kihinga.
The sub centres are in Hombolo, Dakawa, Maruku, Mikocheni, Tengeru, Kifyulilo, Ifakara and Kibaha.
