IITA came second in the Institute of Agricultural Research exhibitions awards during the 2022 National Farmers Exhibition held from 1 to 8 August in Mbeya. The Institute won in a category with 240 public institutions and 300 Non-Governmental Organizations operating in the agriculture, livestock, and fisheries value chains.
IITA participated in the weeklong exhibition, nicknamed “Nanenane” (eight-eight), referencing the final day, 8 August. During Nanenane, agricultural stakeholders get the opportunity to showcase new technologies, discoveries, and solutions in the agricultural sector. The technologies showcased by IITA included the cassava seed system, digital tools (Plantvillage Nuru, SeedTracker, and AKILIMO), and mechanical tools. The Institute’s stand also highlighted procedures for breeding better bananas and exhibited the recently released improved cooking-banana varieties called TARIBAN. The aflatoxin biological control product Aflasafe and the Afya soil rapid test kit were also displayed.
The exhibition’s secretariat awarded second place to IITA in recognition of the excellent arrangement of products (innovations and technologies) in the pavilion, creativity, and competence of exhibitors in disseminating information on the technologies and the potential benefits to the agricultural sector from adopting these products, amongst other criteria observed.
“Congratulations to IITA and the team that lifted the IITA flag high at the exhibitions. We look forward to an even better performance in the coming year. Well done!” IITA Eastern Africa Hub Regional Administrator Eveline Odiambo applauded.
Odiambo noted that the award is good publicity and recognition of IITA’s work in Tanzania that contributes to reducing poverty and hunger through the different technologies showcased at the “Nane Nane” Agricultural Exhibitions. She said it shows that the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania recognizes and appreciates IITA’s contribution.
Agricultural stakeholders applauded IITA for the impactful technologies that target improved productivity and increased smallholders’ livelihoods. “I am so impressed with the new, improved cooking banana varieties you have released and how you demonstrate on-field management to increase productivity. I will implement these practices; I am sure I will have high yields and increased income, which is good for business,” said an excited farmer from Rungwe, Ronald Balasi.
“Rungwe district is blessed with favorable weather! I am attracted to growing cassava in the coming planting season, and I believe these digital tools, technologies, and knowledge I have acquired here will help my farming,” noted Philip Mwakapala.
About 300 visitors from different backgrounds visited the IITA pavilion. Moreover, IITA had the opportunity to train stakeholders in the extension services classroom prepared for teaching agricultural practices during the exhibitions.
Contributed by Gloriana Ndibalema
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