The Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) Tengeru serves as the national center of excellence for horticultural research, innovation, development and dissemination. Its mandate is to conduct, regulate, promote, and coordinate research activities on a wide range of horticultural crops, including vegetables, fruits, spices, herbs, and ornamental plants. The institute plays a central role in advancing Tanzania’s horticultural sector through scientific research, technology generation, and dissemination aimed at improving productivity, quality, and resilience of horticultural crops under diverse agro-ecological conditions. TARI Tengeru conducts comprehensive research programs focused on the development of improved horticultural crop varieties that meet the needs of both farmers and consumers. The improvement programs target crops such as amaranth, African eggplant, tomato, chili, habanero, sweet pepper, and banana, among others. These breeding efforts emphasize the enhancement of yield potential, nutritional quality, disease and pest resistance, and adaptability to various climatic and soil conditions. The center uses both conventional and modern breeding techniques to generate varieties that are well suited to local and export markets, ensuring food security, income generation, and competitiveness in the horticultural industry.

Another major area of research at TARI Tengeru is the development of tissue culture protocols for the in vitro propagation of horticultural crops, particularly banana and other vegetatively propagated crops. Tissue culture technology enables the production of disease-free planting materials with uniform genetic and physiological traits. This approach contributes significantly to rapid multiplication and dissemination of high-quality planting materials, ensuring that farmers have access to clean and vigorous seedlings that enhance productivity and reduce yield losses caused by pests and diseases.

In addition to crop improvement and propagation, TARI Tengeru undertakes advanced molecular diagnostics and biotechnology research. These activities include genotyping, virus indexing, pathogen detection, and characterization. Through molecular tools, the institute enhances its capacity to identify and monitor plant pathogens at the DNA and RNA levels, thereby improving the precision and speed of disease diagnosis. This enables early detection and management of emerging pests and diseases, which is vital for sustaining the health and productivity of horticultural crops. Molecular genotyping also supports breeding programs by identifying desirable traits and facilitating marker-assisted selection, leading to more efficient development of superior varieties. Furthermore, the institute engages in collaborative research and partnerships with national and international institutions to strengthen its scientific capacity and enhance knowledge exchange. These collaborations foster innovation in areas such as postharvest handling, value addition, climate-smart horticultural practices, and sustainable pest and disease management.