IITA trains partners in high-quality banana seed production

Seed systems play an important role in food security and agricultural productivity. However, the subsector faces several challenges, including limited access to quality seeds, seed market monopolization, a lack of seed diversity, and climate change. 

As part of efforts to solve the challenges in Tanzania, IITA–CGIAR, through its PROSSIVA (Program for Seed Systems Innovations for Vegetatively Propagated Crops in Africa) project, conducted a training workshop for its local partners, the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) and PlantVillage focusing on using macro-propagation technology to produce healthier, disease-free banana seedlings with improved yields. This initiative aims to enhance food security and boost agricultural productivity. 

The training objective was to equip the teams with practical skills in banana macro-propagation and nursery management to improve the production of quality planting materials. The hands-on training aimed to support community-level seed entrepreneurship and address the challenge of insufficient high-quality banana seeds in the country. 

Read more