Posted on July, 26, 2019 at 11:09 am
THE Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute Uyole (TARI Uyole) has developed seeds of different crops which are susceptible to climate change, a serious challenge thwarting development of the country’s agricultural sector.
TARI Uyole centre director Dr Tulole Bucheyeki had announced when speaking to reporters here on the forthcoming Southern Highlands Zone Nane Nane Agricultural exhibitions, which are expected to kick off August 1, this year.
Dr Bucheyeki said that climate change has started affecting the agricultural sector in southern highlands’ regions such as Iringa and some of its districts whereby crops dry up due to limited rains, which wasn’t the case in the past.
“This is one of the reasons that made researchers to come up with drought resistant seeds, which mature within shortest period of time and they are of high productivity,” he said.
“Researchers are not working alone,” he said, adding: “We’ve prepared demonstration plots at the Nane Nane showcasing grounds, where farmers will be trained as we’ll have special classes for farmers to learn new farming techniques.”
Some of the seeds that have been developed include maize, beans, wheat, soybeans and orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSP).
Crop research coordinator at the centre, Dr Ndabhimeye Mlengela said that apart from training farmers to use modern agronomic practices, “we’re also encouraging them to follow up on weather forecasts issued by Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA).”
The official said that the move increases resilience of farmers most vulnerable to the impacts of weather and climate-related hazards.
“This will help farmers to get accurate, reliable and timely weather and climate related information and products,” Dr Mlengela said, adding:
“As researchers, we see information as key in ensuring that farmers make sound decision in overcoming climate change related challenges in their localities.”
“Though this farmer will be able to use seeds, which are in line with weather of a particular area,” Dr Mlengela said.
Source: IPP Media