By Valentine Oforo
THE Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), Ukiriguru Centre, is conducting a special program to impart the cotton farmers in the three districts of Kigoma region with the best recommended agronomic practices needed for the professional cultivation of the fibre crop.
The ongoing initiative which is part of implementation of the Cotton Victoria Project (CVP) seeks to reach out to at least 30 agricultural extension officers within the districts of Uvinza, Kasulu and Kibondo in Kigoma region.
Speaking yesterday during launching of the meaningful training program in Kigoma region, Dr Paul Saidia, the Director of Mwanza- based TARI Ukiriguru Centre expressed that the vision behind the development was to assist the cotton growers in the region to attain the set target of producing at least 11,000ton in 2023/24 growing season.
“The target is to train a total of 30 agricultural extension officers in the relevant districts, the officers who will each be responsible to train and assist at least 10 farmers in their areas of jurisdictions to open the Knowledge Transfer Unit (KTU), the crucial farms which will be used as potential stick yards for other farmers in the districts to acquire useful skills and knowledge pertaining to cotton growing,” Dr Saidia expressed.
He detailed some of the key agronomic technologies that the program is disseminating to the extension officers as new recommended cotton planting space, of 60 centimeters from row to row, and 30 centimeters from hole to hole, bringing the number of the cotton plants to 44,444 per acre from the formal 22,222 plants.
“Other technologies incorporate adoption of improved seed varieties, application of suitable fertilizers as well as pesticides,” he added.
And as per the program’s design, he communicated that later in the future, the Centre, TARI –Ukiriguru will make a special survey to identify the number of potential farmers who will manage to establish the Knowledge Transfer Unit (KTU) across the districts in order to stage a special farmer’s field day in the region mapped in the northwest corner of Tanzania.
Dr Saidia, The TARI Ukiriguru Head observed that after Kigoma, the Centre will extend the similar programs to farmers in Singida and Dodoma regions.
Speaking for his part, the Assistant Regional Administrative Secretary-Economy and Development, for Kigoma region, Ntime Mwalyambi, hailed TARI for extending the vital knowledge to the cotton growers in the region.
He observed, formerly, the farmers in the region used to produce between 6,000 and 7,000tons per annum, saying in this season the region has set to produce a total of 11,000tons.
“This training has surfaced in proper time as we’re working to ensure the region improves its cotton production tonnage, to at least 11,000ton, and thus, through this project we’re expecting the farmers to receive vital skills and technologies which will enable them to accomplish the set target,” he appreciated.
Cotton Victoria Project, CVP, is a brainchild of the partnership between Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI)–Ukiriguru Centre and the government of Brazil for improving the performance of the cotton sector in Tanzania.
The robust project is being implemented in cooperation with several stakeholders in the cotton value chain from within and outside the country, include the ministry of agriculture, the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC), the Brazilian Cotton Institute (IBA), the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), and the Tanzania Cotton Board (TCB).
Among others, the initiative works to heighten the institutional capacity and human resources training in the use and dissemination of technology in the cotton production sector in the country.
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