3.Overview of Agriculture Research Institutes (ARIs)
systems in Tanzania
The Division of Research and Development (DRD) of MAFC is the leading National Agricultural Research System (NARS) institution in
Tanzania with the mandate to oversee all matters related to agricultural research. It comprises a network of sixteen agricultural
research centres located in seven agro-ecological zones. The research centers include Ilonga, KATRIN, Dakawa/Cholima, Kibaha,
Mlingano and Mikocheni (Eastern Zone); Maktupora and Hombolo (Central Zone); Ukiriguru and Maruku (Lake Zone); Selian and
HORTI-Tengeru (Northern Zone); Naliendele (Southern Zone); Uyole and Kifyulilo (Southern Highlands Zone) and Tumbi (Western
Zone).
The main functions of the DRD are (i) to conduct and co-ordinate agricultural research programs in Tanzania in accordance with
the national agricultural policy and research priorities; (ii) to recommend the use of research findings; (iii) in collaboration with
extension services, to make sure that the research recommendations reach the farming community, especially smallholder farmers;
and (iv) to collaborate with other related national, regional and international research institutions.
3.1 Current Status of Agricultural Research
Research Capacity
Currently the DRD has a total of 393 scientists, of whom 48 are PhDs, 165 MSc degree holders in relevant research disciplines
while the remaining are BSc degree holders. These scientists are supported by 225 technicians. There are sixteen strategically
located research institutes with adequate land and basic infrastructure for conducting research. Also, DRD has accumulated
knowledge, information and technologies that have been developed over many years of research. These provide a number of
options that can be modified and deployed to respond to client-demands and needs. It has a strong capacity for client-orientation
which has been developed through many years of adopting participatory and farming systems approaches. This provides a good
base for mainstreaming value chain and innovation systems approaches in future research and development activities. In addition,
the institution has developed linkages within the NARS and with local stakeholders, development partners, regional and
international institutions.
Achievements
The DRD has made significant achievements during the past decade in technology development and transfer in the areas of variety
development, agronomy research, value addition and utilization, soil and water management, biotechnology and several socioeconomic
recommendations. For example, in the last 50 years, 236 improved varieties of different crop species have been released
that are high-yielding, tolerant to diseases, pests and drought. Throughout that time the research system has produced adequate
breeder’s seed for multiplication of foundation seed by agricultural seed agencies which are eventually made available to seed
companies. Other accomplishments include improved small scale processing technologies; integrated pest management technologies,
agroforestry technologies and fertilizer recommendations. These technologies have contributed to increased yields, productivity and
incomes and have also averted the country from potential major food shortages.
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3.2 Stakeholder Involvement in Research and Technology Transfer
Through the farming systems approach (FSA), participation of stakeholders has been emphasized in technology development and
transfer. The approach involves characterization and analysis of farming systems and client groups to enhance research targeting,
provision of a systems orientation to research, enhancement of coordination with various stakeholders including extension services
and promotion of farmer participation in all stages of research.
The FSA has been enhanced by adopting client-oriented research development and management approach (CORDEMA) which is used
to ensure improved management including stakeholder involvement in the implementation of agricultural research: Client
perceptions and needs became the driving force in the determination of the research agenda, as well as the production and
dissemination of user-friendly research products.
One of the criticisms the research system is receiving from stakeholders is that technologies developed through research activities
do not adequately reach end users to bring about the impact to the farming community. In response, a system has been put in
place to ensure that developed technologies are disseminated to intended stakeholders. For example, the zonal information
extension liaison units have been set up to enhance linkages among research, extension and farmers. The units play a major role
in establishing research demand from stakeholders; also packaging and disseminating developed user-friendly technologies to
stakeholders. Also, the zonal agricultural research funds have been established whose research projects focus on clients needs that
are approved by stakeholders themselves.
Under these approaches, the implementation of research activities is governed by a greater control by farmers and other clients in
cooperation with the public sector agencies and with a significant increase in the contribution of private agricultural service
providers (ASPs) to extension delivery. Various strategies and means employed to facilitate technology transfer include testing
technologies with farmers and extension staff; farmers’ field days; farmer field schools; agricultural shows, various publications:
Challenges
Despite the achievements that have been realized, there are still challenges that DRD is facing. They include: (i) low competitive
advantage of the DRD to compete for resources with existing and emerging private and semi-autonomous research institutions
(both local and international); (ii) being a department of the ministry, DRD lacks independent legal status; (iii) frequent and often
unproductive institutional changes which have resulted into poor research coordination and management; (iv) loss of qualified and
skilled manpower through brain drain; (v) weak research-extension-farmer linkages leading to poor dissemination of research
outputs; and (vi) inadequate capacity of up- and out-scaling technologies including seed.
3.3 Efforts to Improve Agricultural Research
i. Enhancing Research Focus
Efforts to improve agricultural research in Tanzania include adopting a research system based on agro-ecological zones, improving
research-extension-farmers linkages; adopting a farming systems approach and client oriented research. In addition, there have
been regular research priority-setting processes at national level and within each agro-ecological zone.
