Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute

The Alliance Bioversity & CIAT in collaboration with Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) organized National Dissemination Meeting on Baseline Study Findings. The meeting that brought together stakeholders from national, regional and international institutes; large scale and small scale traders; processors; and government officials was held on 6^th March, 2024 at SG Resort Arusha. The Baseline Study Findings are for the Accelerated Varietal Turnover for Open-pollinated Crops-beans, sorghum and groundnuts (ACCELERATE) project. 

The four-year ACCELERATE project is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). The project is jointly implemented by Alliance Bioversity & CIAT/ Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA) and other collaborators including TARI, Tanzania Official Certification Institute (TOSCI) and International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT).

The main objectives for meeting were to share baseline study findings and recommendations and solicit feedback from key stakeholders; introduce and share information  on the new varieties for the selected open–pollinated crops-beans, groundnuts and sorghum; create a platform for multi-stakeholders to strengthen seed systems in the country.

The Finding Dissemination Meeting was officially opened by Mr Daniel Loiruk, a deputy assistant regional administrative secretary for economics. In his opening remark, Mr.  Loiruk appreciated the timely meeting by organizers to introduce new varieties copping suitably with climate change and nutrition insecurity. As Mr. Loiruk said ‘’ the developed varieties are complimenting government initiatives to combat hidden hunger and improve nutrition to different age groups. The project will give impetus to seed system in Tanzania especially availability of improved seeds and hence increase the crop production and productivity. The meeting participants have to be good ambassadors in communicating findings to all key actors in precise and concise manner. The meeting has to be used as an important platform for sharing experience and valuable information for the project to reach anticipated outcomes’’.

The implementation of the project has come at right time due to the low adoption of improved seed in Tanzania. According to Dr. Justus Ochieng-ACCELERATE Project Coordinator, only three percent (3%) of farmers for the selected crops (beans, groundnuts and sorghum) use improved seed varieties. Majority of farmers (97%) use grains (reuse from past harvests) as seed. Traders are main source of seed for majority of farmers. Limited access to quality and affordable seeds, is challenge that hinder majority of farmers to reach production potential.  For farmers to effectively utilize new varieties there is a need to create a platform for multi-stakeholders to communicate right information on improved varieties and reliable markets.

Sharing of baseline study findings was one of the primary objectives for meeting. Ms. Redegunda Kessy presented the findings for the baseline study done in 2023 in four zones: central, lake, southern and southern highlands. The key findings are summarized as follow:

i.                    Traders are a key source of seed for farmers

ii.                 There are myriads of marketing and market linkages

iii.               Taste is the key preference driver in the market

iv.               Low digital literacy among traders

v. Seed system and coordination need to be strengthened

In his  closing remarks, the guest of honour, Mr. Daniel Loiruk congratulated concerted efforts done by Alliance Bioversity & CIAT and other key

collaborators for this project which aligns which government agenda of raising agricultural growth by 10 %  by 2030.