Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute

On 10.02.2025, Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute TARI, Naliendele Center launched training on the good agricultural practices for cashew crop cultivation for government extension officers and those of the BBT program employed under the Tanzania Cashew Board, the training will be implemented in collaboration with the Tanzania Cashew Board.

The training will be given in a practical way for a period of one day and will take place on a cashew farm that will be selected for participation between the Agriculture Officer and the Department of Technology Transfer. These trainings will be implemented in all councils of Mtwara and also all councils in Lindi Region.

The main objective of the training is to build the capacity of 397 new Agricultural Extension Officers (BBT) along with 531 existing ones in providing extension services to cashew farmers, in order to achieve the goal of increasing raw cashew production in the country to 700,000 tons by 2025/2026 and 1,000,000 tons by 2029/2030.

This event was attended by 260 participants, where the official guest of honor was Tandahimba District Commissioner Hon. Col. Michael Mtenjele who represented Mtwara Commissioner and also Tandahimba District Defence and Security Committee.

TARI Director General Dr. Thomas Bwana was accompanied by the TARI Management from Headquarters including the Director of Research and Innovation, Director of Technology Transfer and Partnership, Director of Human Resources, Chief Accountant, Head of the Supply and Procurement Department as well as the Head of Monitoring and Evaluation.

TARI Naliendele staffs led by Center Director Dr. Geradina Mzena also participated fully in this this training launch event and all extension officers of Tandahimba District Council, Government Leaders from Nanyanga ward and village as well as various farmers.

During his speech TARI Director General Dr. Thomas Bwana began by thanking the Guest of Honour, all the invitees and the entire audience who came to the opening event of the Training. Dr. Bwana said TARI will ensure that Farmers get high yields without spending a lot of money for the purchase of pesticides.

“Our goal is to ensure that our farmers get high yields at low cost, get high yields but with little money, send little money to the field but get great results. TARI has been able to come up with some improved cashew varieties that are good such as TARIKO 1, TARIKO 2 and these new varieties are resistant to cashew blight diseases which will generally stimulate an increase in cashew production” said Dr. Bwana

Hon. Col. Michael Mtejele, Tandahimba District Commissioner who was the official guest of honour representing Mtwara Regional Commissioner, began by thanking Almighty GOD for his mercy and enabling all people to attend this very important event for the development Cashew industry in the Mtwara and Lindi regions.

Hon. Guest of honour congratulated the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) and urged the Extension Officers who will be given the training to ensure that they use the training to increase the knowledge of farmers in order to increase production.

“Our goal is to see farmers produce quality cashews that meet international market standards, so Extension Officers, you have had this important opportunity for training that will equip you with sufficient knowledge to enable you to provide farmers with various technologies regarding the principles of good cashew farming,” said Hon. Mtenjele.