Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute

Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) through TARI Mikocheni center has distributed EAST AFRICAN TALL coconut seedlings to over 278 farmers in Tanga, Lindi and Mtwara regions. The exercise was held at different time from 04 to16 April, 2025 at Muheza District Council in Tanga Region, Ruangwa District Council in Lindi Region and Mtwara Rural District Council in Mtwara Region as the implementation of the promise given to farmers by Hon. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania when visited officially Lindi and Mtwara Regions. Those coconut seedlings obtained from the coconut nurseries that were established by TARI Mikocheni in collaboration with the respective Councils where each Council was given an average of 6000 coconut seeds and educated about the crop on how to establish and maintain/manage coconut nursery.

Explaining about the purpose of establishing those coconut nurseries, Vidah Mahava - researcher from TARI Mikocheni said that the coconut nurseries established purposely for building capacity to farmers on the best way to establish and maintain a coconut nursery. Speaking during such short ceremony, Mr. John Nkoko – Acting District Executive Director, Mtwara Rural District Council told the farmers to take care of those coconut seedlings so that they can grow well and improve the production and productivity and finally help our government achieve its goals associated with the cultivation of the crop.

 

On the other hand, Ms. Vidah Mahava - Coordinator for Technology Transfer and Partnership on behalf of TARI Mikocheni center Manager said that due to the high demand of coconut seedlings in the country, especially in the coastal zone where this crop is more cultivated, TARI Mikocheni has come up with a strategy to establish joint coconut nurseries aiming to reduce coconut seedlings shortage in Tanzania.