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Yara, MUST set up agriculture centre
Njombe and Ruvuma regions Yara Tanzania Agronomist Mr Frank Kikwa (Left) explains Irish potatoes growing techniques to farmers and students of Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST) during a farmers field demonstration event organised by Yara in partnership with the university. PHOTO | HAWA MATHIAS
What you need to know:
- Yara says its pertnership with MUST will significantly contribute to empoerment of small holder farmers who are key to making agriculture profitable
Mbeya. Crop nutrition company, Yara Tanzania and Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST) have partnered to run an agriculture training centre, providing a platform for farmers and students to access knowledge on crop nutrition, soil health and fertiliser management.
The Yara Knowledge Centre in Mbeya will be the sixth in the country as the local subsidiary of the Norwegian international fertiliser supply conglomerate ramps up agricultural transformation efforts through adoption of farm-level technology and best agronomic practices to boost crop production.
Yara chief agronomist for Tanzania and Rwanda, Mr Donath Fungo, said the partnership with MUST will contribute significantly to empowerment of smallholder farmers who are key to making agriculture profitable and industrialisation.
“Through Yara Knowldege Centres, we aim to equip farmers with the knowledge, tools, and other support needed to achieve sustainable farming practices, improve yields, and build prosperous livelihoods,” said Mr Fungo in Mbeya, on Friday, during a farm demonstration organised through the MUST partnership.
Mr Fungo said the Mbeya centre will specialize in the cultivation of Irish potatoes, tomatoes, beans and maize while enabling farmers to scale up the use of modern and high quality input and also introduce them to digital technology solutions to their needs such as financing, market off take and mitigate effects of climate change.
“We are greatful that MUST has partnered with Yara in this endeavor that will uplift the smallholder farmer in the surrounding regions.
This is a good example of private-public partnership geared at supporting the government’s agriculture sector transformation agenda,” he said.
Others than the field demonstrations, the Yara knowledge centres provide training and industrial attachment facilities and resources for students and agri-researchers. So, far, 800 smallholder farmers have directly benefited from the programme.
Acting Vice Chancellor for MUST, Prof Godliving Mtui, said the Yara partnership will boost research and contribute meaningfully to the development of the sector. “We will tackle crop productivity challenges facing surrounding communities through tailor made solutions, including approach,” said Prof Mtui.
Mbeya region Assistant Administrative Secretary Said Madito who was the official guest at the farmers filed emphasized on the need to educate farmers on soil health, appropriate application of fertilizer and combating climate change.
“I welcome your partnership and hope you will further establish means to reach more farmers in the rural areas with this knowledge,” said Mr Madito, noting that such efforts will held attain the goal of raising the sector’s productivity by 10 per cent by 2030.
Farmers who attended the event said the Yara Knowledge Centre should ensure affordable inputs and equipment do reach the needy and on time to raise their yields and income, so that the envisaged benefits or changes do not leave the poor behind.
Students were happy that the centre is closer for practical purposes.
MUST has recently ventured into the agricultural science disciplines.
