Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute

The Director General of Tanzania Agricultural Research Institutes (TARI), Dr. Geoffrey Mkamilo says the institute will adhere to the government’s directives issued by the Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Kassim Majaliwa Majaliwa (MP), of producing sufficient improved oil palm seed and Seedling for distribution to farmers.

The Director General comment, came following a recent directive by Prime Minister Hon. Kassim Majaliwa Majaliwa, issued while in an official visit in Kigoma Region.

The Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa Majaliwa directed Regional Commissioners, District Commissioners and Political Party leaders across the country, to sensitize farmers to engage in oil palm farming.

Current statistics show that, the demand for cooking oil in the country is estimated to be 650,000 tones while internal production is estimated to be 290,000 tones, hence 360,000 tones – equivalent to 55.4 percent of cooking oil are imported from abroad, the scenario that incurs a cost to the government.

Furthermore, the Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Hon. Anthony Mavunde (MP) said that by January 2023, TARI in collaboration with the private Sector produced a total of 14.14 million oil palm seeds of which TARI 11.59 percent were produced by TARI. Hon. Mavunde, reiterated that, so far 3,122,566 seedlings were produced and distributed to farmers mostly within Kigoma region.

Additionally, Hon. Mavunde commended that the improved oil palm variety TENERA, which is more productive, is now been used by Farmers as an alternative to the commonly used variety DURA.

TARI Kihinga, is one of the 17 agricultural research centers of the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), with national mandate to conduct and coordinate research and promotion of oil palm.