Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute

Kibaha, 12th September 2025

The Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) Kibaha had the honor of hosting the Director of Research and Innovation, Dr. Deusdedith Mbanzibwa, who paid an official visit to the center. He was warmly welcomed by the Acting Center Manager, Dr. Emmanuel Mlyashimbi, together with researchers and other staff.

The visit provided an opportunity for Dr. Mbanzibwa to witness firsthand the diverse research and innovation activities being carried out at TARI Kibaha, which is nationally recognized as the Centre of Excellence for Sugarcane Research. Alongside sugarcane, the centre also implements cutting-edge research in cassava and sweet potato.

Dr. Mbanzibwa visited the Tissue Culture and the Nematology laboratories, where he was guided by Mr. Jeremia Mbaga, Laboratory Technician. He observed ongoing experiments and innovations that support plant health and productivity.

      Dr. Mbanzibwa receives explanations of Lab activities from Jeremia Mbaga. Photo credit by Rock Makala.

A highlight of the visit was an engagement with the Young Scientists’ project, led by Ms. Leila Lwiza, where Dr. Mbanzibwa learned about the creative contributions of early-career researchers.

Ms. Leila Lwiza explains her ongoing project that investigates control of yellow sugarcane aphid using chemical fertilizers. Photo credit: Rock Makala.

In addition, he stopped over at the tomato dehydrator fabricated under the project designed to address postharvest losses in tomato farming. Impressed by its potential, Dr. Mbanzibwa remarked that such innovation could make a real difference in reducing tomato postharvest losses thus improving livelihoods for local farmers.

Dr. Mbanzibwa receives explanations from Nr. Nsajigwa Mwakyusa about the tomato dehydrator manufactured for tomato processing. Photo credit: Rock Makala.

He also had a glance at the sugarcane and cassava screen houses, where researchers demonstrated diverse propagation technologies such as the single-node technology, which is crucial in producing quality sugarcane seedlings before their transfer to germplasm collections.

Dr. Emmanuel Mlyashimbi, an acting centre manager, explains on Yam seedlings multiplied and hardened in screen house. Photo credit: Rock Makala

Concluding his visit, Dr. Mbanzibwa expressed his gratitude to the management and staff of TARI Kibaha for their dedication and commitment:

“I am impressed by the progress I have seen today. The work being done here is vital not only for sugarcane but also for the future of food security and livelihoods in Tanzania. I commend the team for their tireless efforts in keeping TARI Kibaha at the forefront of agricultural innovation.”

The visit reaffirmed TARI Kibaha’s role as a hub of agricultural research and innovation, on sugarcane crop in particular, driving technologies that respond to farmers’ needs and national development priorities.