IITA senior management strengthen ties with Tanzanian partners

In a bid to strengthen collaboration with key national partners, the IITA Senior Management Team, led by Director General Dr Simeon Ehui, embarked on a two-day mission to Dodoma, Tanzania’s capital, from 20 to 21 March 2025. The visit focused on reinforcing partnerships with government ministries and the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), aligning strategically with ongoing engagements in the country. Joining Dr Ehui were IITA’s Eastern Africa Director, Dr Leena Tripathi, and Tanzania Country Representative, Dr Frederick Baijukya, as they engaged stakeholders to deepen ties with national stakeholders and advance agricultural research collaborations.

Strengthening strategic partnerships for agricultural transformation

The team met with the Permanent Secretary, Tanzania Ministry of Agriculture, Honorable Gerald Mweli, who reaffirmed commitment to work with IITA and other CGIAR centers in the country, adding that the partnership with IITA has been strategically contributing to capacity building, research for development, and empowering national research institutions.

During the discussion, Hon. Mweli highlighted the Ministry’s Agenda 10/30 strategy—an initiative to boost the crop sub-sectors’ GDP growth rate to 10% by 2030. The strategy focuses on research, improved seeds and inputs, best agricultural practices, and shifting perceptions toward agriculture, particularly among the youth.

“This initiative aims to increase the adoption of improved seeds and fertilizers among smallholder farmers while improving extension services by leveraging digital methods to expand farmer outreach,” said Hon. Mweli.

Additionally, Dr Stephen Nindi, Deputy Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture responsible for Cooperatives and Irrigation, emphasized the need to strengthen value chain systems, post-harvest management, and market systems. “We need transparency in our market systems through reliable digital tools, as increased productivity depends on market transparency,” he stated.

Hon. Mweli also noted the government’s progress in developing digital market tools and requested support in analyzing farmers’ market preferences. This discussion aligned well with IITA’s mission to develop market-driven, high-yielding crop varieties and strengthen agro-input systems.

“IITA has extensive experience in agrifood systems and market models, and we are ready and willing to provide technical assistance in these areas,” said Dr Ehui.

Recognizing the need for effective technology adoption, Hon. Mweli stressed the importance of involving community development officers in extension and dissemination efforts. Their expertise in community engagement will be important in ensuring effective outreach and promoting the adoption of new technologies.

Recognizing the long-standing partnership with TARI

IITA’s partnership with TARI dates to 1994, and its impact has been significant. The TARI Director General, Dr Thomas Bwana, and his team welcomed the IITA delegation, showcasing the outcomes of over 30 years of collaboration. This partnership has led to many research achievements, including releasing more than 20 cassava varieties, four cooking banana varieties, and integrating AI-powered digital tools such as the PlantVillage NURU App for crop disease diagnosis.

During the meeting, Dr Bwana acknowledged IITA’s role in research collaboration and responding to national agricultural needs. He also appreciated IITA’s commitment to capacity building, which significantly enhanced TARI’s performance.

“IITA is our top partner in research, and so far, it has been a win-win collaboration for all of us,” said Dr Bwana.

Building on the momentum, Dr Ehui proposed establishing a platform where IITA and TARI can showcase their partnership to external stakeholders, including donors, government ministries, agencies, and international partners. This initiative would highlight the tangible benefits of collaboration, emphasizing the importance of co-creation and integration in driving impactful research and agricultural development.

Looking ahead, the two institutes identified new areas for collaboration, including continued research capacity building, mentoring young scientists, and strengthening resource mobilization efforts.

Aligning with the national agricultural development goals

The IITA team also engaged with the Agriculture Sector Development Program II (ASDP II) team at the Prime Minister’s Office. ASDP II focuses on transforming the agricultural sector, including crops, livestock, and fisheries, toward higher productivity, commercialization, and increased smallholder farmer income, ultimately improving livelihoods, food security, and GDP contribution.

IITA-Tanzania has collaborated closely with the ASDP II team, as its strategic objectives align well with the program’s goals. During discussions, the Director of Policy and Government Coordination, Paul Sangawe, acknowledged IITA’s contributions in shaping the ASDP II strategy through comprehensive consultations and stakeholder engagement.

He also noted the government’s increasing focus on nutrition and food security, emphasizing the potential of biofortification technology in mandated crops.

Dr Leena Tripathi, Director of the Eastern Africa Hub, and Dr Frederick Baijukya, Country Representative for Tanzania, noted IITA initiatives for food and nutrition security and health, including biofortified cassava varieties, Aflasafe control that enhances food safety, and the development of a recipe guideline book in collaboration with the Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre, promoting legume-enriched food baskets.

The IITA team also met with the Ministry of Finance to further strengthen partnerships and discuss strategies for enhancing financial collaborations that support agricultural transformation and long-term food security.

All partners acknowledged IITA’s crucial contributions to Tanzania’s agriculture sector throughout the visit. The mission reinforced the institute’s strong partnerships with key stakeholders, ensuring that IITA continues to lead impactful agricultural transformation. By fostering research, strengthening capacity, and scaling innovations, IITA remains committed to supporting Tanzania’s agricultural agenda and serving as a model for agricultural excellence in Eastern Africa.

Contributed by Gloriana Ndibalema