Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute

  TARI Naliendele Partners with World Vegetable Center to Strengthen Capacity of Vegetable Farmers in Ruangwa District - Lindi Region 

In a groundbreaking effort to revolutionize the horticultural sector in the region, TARI Naliendele, in collaboration with the World Vegetable Center from Arusha, has launched an intensive training program on improved agronomic practices for amaranth production and effective seed storage techniques.

The training, held in Ng'au Village within Mnacho Ward, brought together 25 dedicated horticultural crop growers from five villages in the Mnacho Ward of Ruangwa District Council, Lindi Region. These farmers are also active participants in the innovative Tricot Citizen Science trials under the Consumption of Resilient Orphan Crops & Products for Healthier Diets (CROPS4HD) project.

This transformative training initiative aimed to empower farmers with cutting-edge knowledge and practical tools to significantly boost their crop yields and ensure sustainable seed availability. Participants received hands-on training and state-of-the-art seed-saving containers, crucial for improving seed preservation and guaranteeing superior crop quality.

The collaboration between TARI Naliendele and the World Vegetable Center highlights their unwavering commitment to local farmers. This initiative seeks to widen the diversity of selected crops, including amaranth, African eggplant, and spider plant varieties, available in the region. It also aims to popularize their use among small-scale farmers, particularly women, and to pioneer the application of citizen science as a groundbreaking approach to evaluating variety performance. Additionally, the project is dedicated to strengthening local vegetable breeding and seed production with varieties tailored to agro-ecological conditions and consumer preferences.

By focusing on these objectives, TARI Naliendele and the World Vegetable Center are not just enhancing agricultural practices but also fostering a more resilient and prosperous future for small-scale farmers in Ruangwa District and beyond.