Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute

Sorghum breeding activities at TARI Ilonga research centre

Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) has been implementing Accelerated Varietal Improvement and Seed delivery of Legumes and Cereals in Africa (AVISA) project since February 2019 in collaboration with CIMMYT, CIAT, IITA, and Syngenta foundation. The project funded by Bill& Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). Other partners include NGOs and private seed companies. The major AVISA crops in Tanzania are sorghum, finger millet, groundnuts, and common bean. TARI Centres engaged participating in AVISA include Ilonga, Hombolo, Makutupora, Tumbi, Uyole, Ukiriguru, Maruku, Naliendele. The project intends to modernize NARS breeding programs and support seed systems of dryland cereals (sorghum and millets) and legumes crops in partnership with seed companies.

Program outcomes (PO)

•      PO 1:  Rate of genetic gain for performance in mandate crops accelerated to an estimated 1.5% annually.

•    PO 2: Integrated Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research(CGIAR)/National Agricultural Research System(NARS) Program anchored by an integrated breeding decision and informatics support system.

•      PO 3: Legume and cereal crop improvement, seed production and delivery systems aligned for gender-responsiveness and end-user demands and preferences.

•      PO 4:   Increased and equitable rate of varietal turnover 

•      PO 5:   Efficient project management and reporting

Description of PO4

The project works with (Tanzania Seed Trade  Association (TASTA) ffiliated members

Mr Emmanuel Mwenda (AVISA project coordinator -front right in white shirt) held a meeting with seed companies  on 6 May, 2022  Songwe Region