Forging strong links in Tanzania

A World Vegetable Center delegation—Board member Lindiwe Sibanda, Director General Marco Wopereis, and Flagship Leader Healthy Diets and Officer-in-Charge for WorldVeg’s Regional Center for Eastern and Southern Africa Ralph Roothaert—visited Dodoma, Tanzania from 11-12 April 2019.

On the 11^th, the delegation met with the Director General of the Tanzanian Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), Dr. Geoffrey Mkamilo, and staff at TARI headquarters in Dodoma to discuss opportunities for enhanced collaboration. On the 12^th, the delegation met with the Minister for Agriculture of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Japhet N. Hasunga, and the Permanent Secretary for Agriculture, Eng. Mathew J. Mtigumwe.

Detailed discussions were held with the permanent secretary and staff afterwards. The WorldVeg delegation outlined the Center’s strategy, worldwide presence, and flagship structure, and highlighted the impact WorldVeg has had around the globe and in Tanzania in particular. The discussion focused on enhanced collaboration between WorldVeg and the Ministry of Agriculture with a particular focus on promotion of the production and consumption of robust, nutrient-dense traditional vegetables. WorldVeg conserves the largest collection of traditional African vegetables on the African continent at its research center in Arusha, Tanzania.

Permanent Secretary Mtigumwe made a commitment to visit the WorldVeg Arusha campus soon, and the WorldVeg team is looking forward to the opportunity to offer him a closer look at Center activities in Tanzania.