TARI introduces high-yielding cassava seeds to boost the sector’s productivity in Tanzania

 By STAFF REPORTER, In Mwanza

THE Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) has researched and  spearheaded the release of 26 new cassava seed varieties, being in concerted efforts to heighten production and productivity of the economic cash crop in the country.

Tanzania is the twelfth largest producer of cassava in the world, and the sixth in Africa with the current productivity of 8.5 tons per hectare,  the low extent in comparison to 60 tons that can be produced per hectare through application of improved seeds and recommended agronomic practices.

To reverse the situation, TARI through its diverse centres, including Ukiriguru (Mwanza), Kibaha (Coastal), Maruku ( Kagera) and Naliendele center in Mtwara Region have been working together to research and produce improved seeds, but also, running different capacity building programs meant to impart the extension officers and growers of the tuber crop with the best agronomic practices.

According to Innocent Ndyetabula, a cassava scientist at TARI Ukiriguru, out of the 26 official released improved varieties, at least 9 varieties have become the farmer's best choice and widely cultivated while their demand is tremendously increasing.

"As per the special study on Demand Creation Trial (DCT), conducted recently through the Building an Economically Sustainable and Integrated Seed System for Cassava’ –(BASIC II) project, the 9 varieties have attracted popular use among the farmers, and other relevant stakeholders in the Lake Zone, as well as in the  Eastern and Southern Zones," he expressed.

He said that the varieties have gained popularity among the farmers,  processors and the consumers due to abilities to produce cassava with good taste, high productivity,  resistance to diseases among others.

He added, the varieties that are also famous for maturing between within 9 and 12 months since when planted include  TARICASS 4, Mkumba na  Kiroba (For Lake Zone), Chereko, TARICASS 4, Kipusa,  Pwani, Mkuranga 1 and Kizimbani (Suitable for Eastern Zone).

And for the Southern Zone, he expressed that TARICASS 4, Kiroba, TARICASS 1, Mkuranga 1 and Chereko have proved to perform well.

"These cassava seed varieties have a potential of producing between 25 and 30 tons per hectare, which is far above 5 and 8 tons that are being produced through landrace seeds which succumb to viral diseases,"he informed.

Together with that,  he detailed that what impresses the farmers is the fact that the varieties have the capacity of producing many cassava seed cuttings in a single plant.

“These new varieties are of great benefit for the farmers and other stakeholders who are engaging into the cassava seeds production and marketing sub-sector,” he expressed.

The high –profile cassava pundit, Ndyetabula, urged the farmers to turn out in multitude and adopt use of the useful seeds varieties, added: “The farmers can access the seeds from either the  Cassava Seed Entrepreneurs (CSEs), or through the established Cassava Seed Producer Associations that are available countrywide.

The agriculture ministry is implementing a sustainable cassava strategic plan which seeks among others to heighten acreages for the production of improved seeds varieties for cassava from 40,000 hectare in 2020 to 260,000 in 2030.

In the execution of the robust vital strategy, the parent is working in cooperation with TARI and other different stakeholders from within and outside the country with an eye to increase the number of improved cassava seed cuttings from 80 million to at least 1.6 billion per annum.

In the same vein, late last year, various stakeholders in the country's cassava production sub-sector signed a special Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tanzania Agriculture Research Institute (TARI) for implementation of a helpful project to boost Early Generation Seed production (EGS) and productivity of the economic cash crop.

Dubbed ‘Building an Economically Sustainable and Integrated Seed System for Cassava’ –(BASIC II), the launched initiative focuses to ensure cassava productivity and incomes of smallholders are boosted through access and application of affordable improved cassava seed varieties.

The stakeholders involved in the implementation of the vital strategy include the Mennonite Economic Development Associate (MEDA), the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), as well as the ministry of agriculture.

In recognition of the strategic importance of cassava to the Tanzania economy and food security, in 2020 the ministry of agriculture put in place a cassava development strategy (2020-2030) with a target to expand the areas planted with improved cassava seed varieties production from 40,000 hectare in 2020 to 260,000 in 2030 that will increase the number of improved cassava seed cuttings from 80 million to at least 1.6 billion per annum.

 Despite flourishing in many regions, cassava is currently grown in abundant in Kagera, Tanga, Geita, Tabora, Shinyanga, Mwanza, Kigoma, Mara, Lindi and  Mtwara, whereby at least 45 percent of the cassava being produced in the country’s border regions (Kagera na Kigoma) are usually processed and exported to the neighbouring regions of Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan Burundi and DR- Congo.