TARI Maruku collaborates with TARI Uyole to conduct research on common beans and TARI Ukiriguru on roots and tubers
Common beans
Research of common beans is conducted in collaboration with other TARI research centers (TARI Uyole and
TARI Selian), regional and international collaborators/partners are doing
several kinds of research for developing new common beans varieties that are tolerance
to biotic (including angular leaf spot disease) and abiotic stresses, releasing
and promotion of improved bean varieties. It is also engaged in production of
breeder and basic seeds of different improved common bean varieties and
supporting individual farmers, farmers’ group, and other stakeholders in the production
of certified seeds and quality declared seeds (QDS) by giving training and
technical backstopping in collaboration with other partners.
Objectives
The common beans collaborative research aims at enhancing the production, value, and nutritional quality of common beans cultivated within and outside the region for reducing poverty, hunger, and malnutrition while improving the sustainability of the community livelihood through the use of improved bean varieties
Activities conducted are;
1. Evaluation of different common beans varieties/landraces for high yielding and resistant/tolerant varieties to insect pests and diseases
- Field evaluation trials of the best parent of good cooking time and improved nutritional quality, from the African country, for yield performance and adaptability
- Evaluation and screening of common beans trials of the Eastern and Central African Bean Yield trial (ECABYT) evaluated for Yield performances and adaptability
2. Developing various technologies, for instance, fertilizer and plant population recommendations for improved bean varieties
3. Conducting demand-led breeding of new varieties
4. Seed multiplication
5. Conducting consultations and training on improved common beans production
Roots and tubers
The crops under roots and tubers are cassava and sweet potato. The aim of the sub-program is to improve the
targeted crops on various aspects including: Breeding, agronomic practices,
pests and disease management, seed system, soil healthy and fertilizer use,
post-harvest handling and utilization. Training of farmers and other stakeholders
on new technologies developed by the sub-program is among the key activities
implemented in the program. Training offered covers principles of good
agronomic practices (GAP) of the target crops, pests and diseases
identification and management aspects, planting materials multiplication and
dissemination techniques, processing and products development and other issues
related to targeted crops improvement along the value chain. On regular basis,
roots and tubers collaborative research conduct field surveys to get update on the situation of
pests and disease in farmers’ fields in order to improve its research
strategies to address farmers’ production situation. The generated knowledge is
presented in the various exploitable forms in order to reach various end-users
in both electronic and hard copies. These include leaflets, burners, TV &
Radio programs, brochures, special cards, training manuals, posters, published
papers e.t.c. The program implements its activities in collaboration with other
researchers from both national and international research institution.