Poor irrigation slows crop research efforts

Monday, 04 March 2013 09:17 Kenan Kalagh, Kampala, UGANDA

ARUSHA, TANZANIA - Poor infrastructure in crop breeding research institutions have been pointed out as a major problem hindering the development of research in Tanzania.
The problem has also affected timely development of new varieties.

 (Farmers at Tengeru in Arusha taking care of the wilds in their field, Photo By Kenan Kalagho)
According to the Principal Agriculture Research Officer at Selian Agriculture Research Institute (SARI) Mr. Ibrahim Mamuya, improved irrigation systems in research centers reduce the period of researching for new varieties.
“Our reliance on the rainy seasons to crisscross crops year after year to come up with new and better hybrids is still a challenge,” said Mamuya.
Most crop breeding research institutions in Tanzania, lack irrigation facilities. They depend mainly on rainy seasons, making breeders.
“The country must develop technologies that require the selection of plants at gene level rather than using observation selection,” stresses Mamuya.
Mr. Sosthenes Kweka the National Bean Research coordinator says that for the past 27 years SARI has been able to breed eight different types of bean varieties that include five bush varieties and three climbing varieties.
He named the varieties as Lyamungu 85, Lyamungu 90, Serian 94 and JESCA. Others are Serian 97, Serian 05, Serian 06 and Cheupe.