Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute

Introduction

The country faces limited availability and access to improved Grain Legumes seeds varieties to small holder farmers with affordable price, this affecting more women and Youth due to the fact that this group have low access to resources such as improved pulses varieties, quality fertilizer and pesticides and equitable access to information compared to men. Women and Youth the cost of production is relatively high. Farm land remains a main constraint for Youth. Farmers responded to challenges by recycling seeds and monocropping grains legumes, despite the declining soil health and crop productivity and increased occurrence of pests and diseases. Due to unavailability of grain seeds discouraged the adoption of improved varieties. This constraint will engage more local companies to multiply improved grain legumes seeds which will increase seed accessibility to small holder farmers. At the project time frame will link to stakeholders to suitable quality declared seed production. This is a two years (2023/2024-2024/2025) project funded by CIMMYT. The project is implemented at TARI Ilonga, TARI, TARI Uyole and TARI Maruku. It also covers regions of Morogoro, Dodoma, Manyara, Arusha, Tanga, Songwe, Mbeya, Lindi, Pwani, Morogoro, Mwanza and Kagera.

Purpose of the project:

The main purpose of purification and Early Generation Seed (EGS) production in Grain Legume seed is to maintain the genetic potential and regular provision of high quality breeder seed which is the basic for subsequent seed production variety maintenance and EGS production is a distinct step in the seed production requiring particular knowledge, skills and facilities which is performed by TARI. The EGS production of grain Legumes is essential for ensuring that the genetic purity and potential of newly released varieties are maintained and enhances regular supplies of pre basic and basic seeds are produced and supplied to the Agricultural Seed Agency and Local Companies for improvement of production and productivity.

Project Objectives:

1. Maintain and purify newly released materials

2. Establishment of demonstration plots and training

 3. Distribution of small packages of seeds to smallholder farmers

Project Components

Maintenance and purifications of newly released Grain Legumes materials,

Production of high-quality Early Generation Seeds,

Increase commercialization delivery systems and availability of newly released legume varieties to stakeholders by engaging local seed companies to produce certified seeds,

Promotion of Grain Legumes by Establishment of Demo plots and training,

Production of Agricultural Extension materials and training manual,

Distribution of small packages of seeds to smallholder farmers

 Photo: Mungbean demonstration plot located at Mtama District Council in Lindi Region