Implemented by the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), Ukiriguru Centre, this is part of implementation of the Cotton Victoria Project (CVP), which is seeking train at least 30 agricultural extension officers within the districts of Uvinza, Kasulu and Kibondo in Kigoma region.
Speaking yesterday during launching of the training program in Kigoma region, Dr Paul Saidia, the Director of Mwanza- based TARI Ukiriguru Centre expressed that the aim was to assist the cotton growers in the region to attain the set target of producing at least 11,000ton in 2023/24 season.
“The target is train a total of 30 agricultural extension officers in the relevant districts, the officers who will each be responsible to train and assist at least 10 farmers in their areas of jurisdictions to open the Knowledge Transfer Unit (KTU), the crucial farms which will be used as potential stick yards for other farmers in the districts to acquire useful skills and knowledge pertaining to cotton growing,” Dr Saidia expressed.
He detailed some of the key agronomic technologies that the program is disseminating to the extension officers as new recommended cotton planting space, of 60 centimeters from row to row, and 30 centimeters from hole to hole, bringing the number of the cotton plants to 44,444 per acre from the formal 22,222 plants.
“Other technologies incorporate adoption of improved seed varieties, application of suitable fertilizers as well as pesticides,” he added.
And as per the program’s design, he explained that later in the future, the Centre, TARI –Ukiriguru will make a special survey to identify the number of potential farmers who will manage to establish the Knowledge Transfer Unit (KTU) across the districts in order to stage a special farmer’s field day in the region mapped in the northwest corner of Tanzania.
Dr Saidia observed that after Kigoma, the Centre will extend the similar programs to farmers in Singida and Dodoma regions.
Speaking for his part, the Assistant Regional Administrative Secretary-Economy and Development, for Kigoma region, Ntime Mwalyambi, hailed TARI for extending the vital knowledge to the cotton growers in the region.
He observed, formerly, the farmers in the region used to produce between 6,000 and 7,000tons per annum, saying in this season the region has set to produce a total of 11,000tons.
“This training has surfaced in proper time as we’re working to ensure the region improves its cotton production tonnage, to at least 11,000ton, and thus, through this project we’re expecting the farmers to receive vital skills and technologies which will enable them to accomplish the set target,” he appreciated.