Tanzania sets record in potato research, to release improved varieties
By Zephania Ubwani
Arusha — Tanzania has excelled in experimental trials of high yielding and disease resistant potato varieties under a climate smart agriculture programme aimed to improve food security.
Three of 14 varieties brought into the country by the International Potato Centre (CIP) for field trials in Lushoto district did well and two of them will soon be released toThese are Unica, locally known as Mkanano, and Shangii which will be released to farmers for cultivation after proving resilience to climate vagaries.
The third variety, Mvono, is now with the Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (Tosci) for national performance trials in the southern highlands regions.
"Mvono is being tested for the first time in the world. Its first field trials are taking place in Tanzania", said Dr Stephano Sebastian, the principal agricultural research officer with HORTI-Tengeru.
Experimental trials and promotion of potato is one of the projects implemented within the East African region under the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) research programme on climate change, agriculture and food security (CCAFS).
Within the region, the global programme, launched in 2010, encompasses Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Ethiopia.
In Tanzania, the focus is to develop more resilient potato varieties with higher yields.
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