President Kikwete commends IITA’s research impact in Tanzania

12 May 2026

As part of efforts to strengthen partnerships, research and impact visibility in Tanzania, IITA -CGIAR organized a stakeholder engagement event and open day, held under the theme "Agricultural Research Innovations in the Hands of Users," on 6 May 2026. The event brought together the IITA Board of Trustees, government institutions, research organizations, development partners, embassies, CGIAR centers, private sector actors, and farming communities, demonstrating how science, partnerships, and innovation are transforming agriculture and improving livelihoods across Tanzania and the wider region.

Speaking at the event, Chief Guest His Excellency Dr Jakaya Kikwete, Former President of Tanzania, commended IITA for the role it continues to play in advancing agricultural research and delivering practical agrifood solutions that change the lives of farmers across Africa. "I visited the booths, and I saw the wonderful work that has been going on. It was not only from scientists but also from the young people and farmers," he said. "This shows the transfer of knowledge and technologies."

President Kikwete urged the Institute to work more closely to disseminate research outcomes and ensure that agricultural technologies reach communities. He also expressed his personal interest in agriculture and research. Notably, President Kikwete commissioned the IITA Tanzania facilities in 2013, a moment that marked the beginning of IITA's serious, long-term commitment to the country.

Dr Leena Tripathi, Director of the Eastern Africa Hub, emphasized that IITA's focus is not only on developing innovations, but also on ensuring they create tangible impact for farming communities. She noted that through partnerships with governments, research institutions, development partners, and the private sector, IITA is contributing to resilient agrifood systems, improved seed access, digital agriculture, and opportunities for women and youth across the region.

Dr Simeon Ehui, IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa, noted that over the past 12 years, IITA and its partners have invested approximately US$ 154.57 million (TZS 410.75 billion) in Tanzania. This includes salaries for national staff, research activities - some of which were reimbursed to TARI and local universities - as well as infrastructure and equipment. On capacity sharing, IITA has supported the training of 60 PhD and 80 MSc students, hosted more than 500 undergraduate students, trained over 10,000 young people, and more than 11,000 farmers. In total, over 1.39 million farmers have been reached with improved technologies and agricultural practices.

"Behind these numbers are transformed livelihoods, stronger institutions, empowered young people, and renewed hope for farming communities," Ehui said.

Research beyond the laboratories

The exhibition booths showed what research activities look like in practice, beyond the laboratory. Guests moved through displays of advances in cassava and banana breeding, tissue culture technologies, inclusive seed systems, and digital agriculture tools, most of which were already with the farmers. Seed entrepreneurs explained how certified planting materials are reaching smallholder farmers faster. Young people who had undergone IITA-supported training demonstrated the businesses they had built from what they had learned.

IITA social scientists emphasized that agriculture works when it works for everyone. Their work focuses on supporting young people, giving women an equal place in farming, and helping seed entrepreneurs and agribusinesses grow. They demonstrated how inclusive and resilient agrifood systems are built and sustained.

Dr Ehui highlighted a challenge requiring urgent action: Africa must feed a fast-growing population while facing climate change, land degradation, and economic pressure. His view is that the solution lies in collaboration and partnership. "The future of African agriculture will depend not only on resources," he said, "but on our ability to work together, governments, research institutions, the private sector, farmers, development partners, and young innovators to scale solutions with urgency, ambition, and purpose."

Dr Tripathi noted that the event reaffirmed IITA's commitment to translating research into practical solutions that improve livelihoods and strengthen food systems across the region.

Contributed by Gloriana Ndibalema