By Christina Haule , The Guardian.

THE Agricultural Research Institute of Tanzania (TARI) has been urged to broaden its innovations to ensure farmers gain not only improved rice farming techniques but also essential knowledge to access reliable markets for their produce.

This appeal comes in response to persistent market shortages faced by farmers in Morogoro and other regions.

Dr. Musa Ally Musa, Morogoro Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS) made the call here recently when speaking at the training, funded by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) with support from the Republic of Korea, targeted rice farmers from Iringa District in Iringa Region and Ulanga and Malinyi districts in Morogoro Region. It focused on modern farming techniques and the rice value chain.

He emphasised the need for addressing market access challenges during the opening of a four-day training session in Morogoro,  stressing that while improving production is crucial, reliable market access is equally essential.

“Without established and accessible markets, efforts to boost rice production may falter, leaving farmers unable to sell their crops and facing financial difficulties,” he said.

Dr. Musa also addressed ongoing challenges with government initiatives, such as delayed payments by the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA), despite its mandate to purchase rice from farmers.

He highlighted the potential of markets in neighbouring countries, like Comoros, but noted that many farmers lack access to these opportunities and are sometimes exploited by fraudsters.

Additionally, Dr. Musa called on TARI to preserve indigenous seed varieties to prevent their extinction, noting that many modern seeds are single-use, requiring farmers to repurchase seeds every planting season.

He also emphasised the importance of gender inclusion in training programmes, as women play a significant role in farming and should have equal access to education and resources.

Dr. Sophia Kashenge, TARI’s director of technology transfer and relations, urged young people to view agriculture as a promising sector, especially given the need for its annual growth to reach 10 per cent by 2030 to ensure food security and meet the demands of a growing population.

“Food production in Tanzania is currently strong, with a surplus of 4 million tons. However, leveraging technology is vital to tackle challenges such as climate change, technological advancements, and population growth,” Dr. Kashenge said.

Diomedes Kalisa, FAO-Tanzania representative, noted that the training aims to make Tanzanian farmers more competitive. He highlighted Tanzania’s position as East Africa’s leading rice producer and the third-largest in Africa, after Nigeria.

Kalisa commended the collaboration between the government, agricultural stakeholders, and farmers, which has strengthened the rice sector. He also stated that the FAO-supported project, launched in 2020 and set to conclude in December, aims to enhance agricultural activities and ensure food security at both household and national levels.

Published Date: December 30, 2024