Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute

Farmers in Arusha Region have admitted to being interested in education about Quality Protein Maize and Bio fortified beans that were researched at the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) Selian center as these crops will respond to the challenge of malnutrition and poor yields due to climate change.

The farmers have admitted this earlier today during the Agribusiness Expo which was held for two days in the TARI Seliani fields, where they said that many farmers were not aware of Quality Protein Maize (maize with high protein) and Bio fortified beans (beans with high iron and zinc).

Loveness Urio, a farmer from Maji ya chai ward has said that, "we are happy to get this knowledge, I had never heard about Quality Protein Maize, now we are asking for this knowledge to be brought to the villages so that farmers can produce them, we want to cultivate these so that our children may not get malnutrition".

And Tajiri Laizer, a farmer from Lemanyata ward added that, "we are grateful to get education on good agricultural practices in these exhibitions, we have learned about maize and beans that may improve our health, the food we use may not be a complete diet, so we are asking TARI and other stakeholders for this education to reach our villages”

On his part, Elieshi Kitomari a farmer from Maji ya chai ward has said that through the exhibition, she has been able to learn about the correct use of fertilizers as well as the best practices on vegetables cultivation.

A researcher from TARI Selian Moses Bayinga has explained that 450 farmers have participated in the 2024 Agribusiness Expo held on July 12 and 13 and various technologies from 14 companies and institutions that deal with agricultural were disseminated and the objective was to encourage farmers to use innovative agricultural technologies for food security and nutrition.

Representing the Administrative Secretary of the Arusha Region who was the guest of honor of the exhibition, the Regional Agriculture Officer Danieli Loiruk has called on farmers to stop traditional farming but focus on nutrition and market needs.

He said that modern farmers should have an entrepreneurial attitude and use the technologies produced by TARI that respond to the problem of climate change and nutrition as well as get guidance from extension officers located in rural areas.