The Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) – Maruku, located 12 kilometers from Bukoba town in the Kagera Region of northwestern Tanzania, is a pivotal agricultural research center under the Ministry of Agriculture. As part of the Lake Zone Agricultural Research and Development Institute, TARI-Maruku is mandated to serve farming systems centered on coffee and banana production, which are key staples and income-generating crops for the Kagera region.

Established in 1948 as a coffee research station, TARI-Maruku has since broadened its scope to include research on bananas, legumes, cereals, roots, and tubers. In 1989, it pioneered Farming Systems Research through on-farm experimentation, followed by the introduction of contract research in 1996. Since 1997, it has expanded its mandate to serve the entire Lake zone regions, including Kagera, Kigoma, Geita, Mwanza, and Mara Regions, with adaptive research and stakeholder-driven development initiatives.

The institute hosts a multidisciplinary team of professional researchers supported by field officers, with expertise spanning agronomy, plant protection, crop and livestock breeding, soil fertility management, farming systems analysis, and socio-economic studies including market analysis, adoption, and impact assessments.

TARI-Maruku occupies 339 hectares of land, with 120 hectares suitable for research and crop production. Of this, 50 hectares are actively used for research and seed production, while other plots support coffee and tea under MATI and TACRI collaboration. The institute plays a critical role in producing quality planting materials, particularly for banana and coffee, and provides extension services on improved agricultural practices, input use, soil fertility, postharvest handling, and market linkages.

Research Focus and Methodology

TARI-Maruku’s research approach is comprehensive and participatory, involving:

• Diagnostic studies
• Agroecological zonation
• Household typology
• On-farm trials
• Farmer participatory research
• Development of user-friendly outputs

Its operations emphasize collaborative partnerships, both nationally and internationally. The institute works closely with other TARI centers (notably TARI-Ukiriguru), and maintains productive partnerships with institutions such as NARO, IITA, FAO, Alliance of CIAT-Bioversity International, Belgium Technical Cooperation (BTC), CABI, PABRA, and ASARECA.

Key Achievements

Over the years, TARI-Maruku has generated and disseminated impactful agricultural technologies and innovations, including:

• Development, testing, and release of improved crop varieties, including:
  • Cassava: Mkombozi, Kasala, Meremeta, Kyaka, Belinde, Rangimbili, Suma, and Nyakafulo
  • Sweetpotato: Mazao (NASPOT 1), Kakamega, Mlezi (Ejumula), and Polista
  • Banana: FHIA 17, 21, 23, Yangambi KM5, TARIBAN 1–4
  • Beans: Jesca, Uyole Njano, Selian 2015, and Lyamungo 90
• Promotion of Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) practices, including the use of mineral and organic fertilizers, green manures, and leguminous crops for soil enrichment.
• Development and dissemination of extension materials such as training manuals, posters, leaflets, banners, and media content (radio and TV programs) to enhance knowledge sharing.
• Capacity building for a wide range of stakeholders including farmers, extension agents, NGOs, policymakers, seed companies, and agribusiness actors through structured trainings and workshops.
• Hosting and participation in outreach events, including agricultural exhibitions, field days, and stakeholder review meetings, aimed at promoting innovation adoption and farmer learning.
• Scholarly contributions through publications, often in collaboration with national and international research partners, thereby advancing knowledge and evidence-based policymaking.

TARI-Maruku stands as a regional hub for agricultural innovation and development, contributing significantly to food security, income generation, and sustainable farming systems in the Lake Zone. With its strong research base, strategic partnerships, and commitment to farmer-centered development, the institute continues to play a transformative role in Tanzania’s agricultural sector.