Selian Centre is situated in  Arusha Region of northern Tanzania, is one of the twentieth  research centres operating under the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI). The Centre holds a long-standing legacy in agricultural research and development, dating back to 1979, when it was first established as the Canadian Wheat and Barley Research Farm through funding support from the Government of Canada. Following the conclusion of Canadian involvement in 1982, the Government of Tanzania assumed full responsibility for the Centre, officially designating it as the Northern Zone Agricultural Research Headquarters. In the subsequent years, Selian expanded its research portfolio to include additional crops and disciplines. Notably, in 1992 and 1994, the bean and maize research programs that had been conducted at the Lyamungo Centre in the Kilimanjaro Region were officially transferred to Selian, thereby broadening its research mandate and strengthening its capacity to serve the agricultural sector in the northern highlands and mid-altitude zones of Tanzania.

At present, TARI Selian plays a pivotal role in agricultural innovation, crop improvement, and technology dissemination. Its major research and development activities include the following:

Development of Improved Crop Varieties:

The Centre undertakes systematic breeding and evaluation of mid-altitude maize, wheat, barley, and bean varieties. Research efforts are directed toward enhancing yield potential, pest and disease resistance, drought tolerance, and grain quality attributes suitable for the varying agro-ecological zones of northern Tanzania.

Socio-Economic and Market-Oriented Research:

In addition to biophysical studies, the Centre conducts socio-economic and marketing research aimed at understanding farmer adoption patterns, value chain dynamics, and the economic feasibility of introduced technologies. This research supports evidence-based policy formulation and promotes the scaling up of profitable agricultural innovations.

Technology Promotion and Partnership Strengthening:

TARI Selian is actively involved in technology promotion, outreach, and partnership development. The Centre collaborates with local and international stakeholders—including farmers, extension agents, NGOs, and private sector actors—to ensure that research outputs are effectively translated into practical solutions that improve productivity and livelihoods.