Crop scientists work on cassava diseases

As diseases affecting cassava plant are becoming prevalent in most parts in Tanzania. The government has taken drastic measures to curb with the escalating phenomenon. In addition to these effective controlling measures in place, a team of scientists under the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Programme on Roots, Tubers and Bananas (RTB), has developed a revolutionary new mobile app that uses artificial intelligence to accurately diagnose crop diseases in the field. According to a statement issued by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) yesterday, farmers are often unable to properly identify these diseases, while researchers, plant health authorities and extension organizations lack the data to support them. “Smart phones are becoming more and more common in rural Africa. Smallholders or extension officers with a basic smart phone with a camera will be able to download the app for free, fire it up, point it at a leaf with disease symptoms and get an instant diagnosis. That is truly revolutionary!” explained Dr James Legg, a researcher at the IITA Tanzania office, who leads the project together with Dr David Hughes of Penn State.

The harvested cassava tubers

Cassava brown streak disease and cassava mosaic disease are a threat to the food and income security of over 30 mil lion farmers in East and Central Africa. Likewise, banana is threatened by fungal and bacterial diseases, including the devastating banana bunchy top virus, while late blight still plagues potato farmers. The app will also provide the latest management advice for all major diseases and pests of root, tuber and banana crops, and pinpoint the location of the nearest agricultural extension support for farmers. The team recently won a US100, 000 dollars grant as part of the CGIAR Platform for Big Data in Agriculture Inspire Challenges at the Big Data in Agriculture Convention 2017 in Cali, Colombia on 21 September. Currently developed for cassava, the grant will allow researchers to expand the app for other root, tuber and banana crops that are critical sources of food, nutrition and income security for millions of people. “This prize is transformative. It allows us to expand across multiple sites in Africa and multiple crops that are critical for food security on the continent. We can amplify by 100 times what we have achieved so far,” said Dr David Hughes of Penn State.

Need for new forestry policy in Tanzania

As depletion of forestry has taken a high pace in most parts in Tanzania, the government has seen the need to review its forestry policy in order to save important tree species from the verge of extinction. Owing to changes of time, environment degradation and increased demand for forest products, the government is presently seeking views from stakeholders in order to amend the Forestry Policy of 1998, it has been revealed. The Principal Forest Officer in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Mr Nssoko Edwin, said the new policy seeks to protect forests from devastation and curb conflicts between villages and reserved forest areas. Mr Edwin made the explanation when addressing delegates attending the 33rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association of Local Authorities in Tanzania (ALAT) at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam on Thursday. According to the forest official, about 582,000 hectares of forests countrywide were destroyed through human activities last year up from 372,000 hectares in 2012. On the other hand, he informed the delegates from local government authorities that annual demand for forest products stands at 62,000,000 cubic metres and yet the forest can provide just 42,000,000 cubic metres, translating into a shortage of 19,000,000 cubic metres. “As such the government finds it suitable to amend the policy to accommodate the changes which affect forests; we have so far received views from seven zones countrywide,” Mr Edwin explained.

The rate at which depletion of trees is taking place in some places in Tanzania is very high.

He cited increased demand for firewood, charcoal, timber as well as ‘nomadic agriculture and bush fires as among major factors putting pressure on forests and thus leading to their destruction. Mr Edwin pointed further that forests were vital in supporting the country’s industrialization drive since they host water catchment areas. “It is water from the forests which supports agriculture, industries and generation of electricity, all of which are key inputs for factories,” he explained. Contributing to the presentation, Sikonge District Executive Director, Mr Simon Ngatunga, blamed the Tanzania Forestry Services (TFS) for failure to manage forest reserves in the country. “Many people here will agree with me that forest reserves which are under management of local authorities are well protected compared to those under the TFS,” Mr Ngatunga claimed. The DED went on and accused some employees of TFS for colluding with officials in local government authorities in harvesting forest products for their personal interests. The views were shared by the Mayor of Arusha, Mr Calist Lazaro, who accused TFS for harassing people surrounding forest reserves and yet have failed to take proper actions to protect the woodlands.

Exim bank marks customer’s week by opening other branches

EXIM Bank Tanzania has restated its commitment to attain the highest level of customer advocacy by leveraging on its bespoke solutions, excellent service delivery, highly professional staff and technology to turn the aspirations of its customers to opportunities.  To mark the Customer Service Week, Exim Bank Tanzania has launched five new branches and twelve new ATMS in three regions. This new expansion will increase the presence of Exim Bank to a total of thirty three branches and fifty ATMS across the country. Rahul Singh, Exim Bank Tanzania Head, Retail Banking said, “The expansion of our footprint in these regions underlines our commitment to the development of financial inclusion in Tanzania.” According to the latest released FinScope report 2017/18, only 65.3 percent of the adult population use formal banking services. There is clearly a long way to go and a lot of work to be done. Mr. Singh said Exim Bank is well positioned to play a significant role in providing more Tanzanians with the opportunity to benefit from world class products and services. The new branches can be found in Masaki (Haile Selassie Road near KFC), Kisutu (next to Haadi Apartments), and Julius Nyerere Airport (cargo terminal gate number 6), Arusha (on Himo road near the Usa River Central Police Station) and in Dodoma (Inside the University of Dodoma). 

The Dodoma branch which will officially be launched this month will serve clients from University of Dodoma, which consists of over 25,000 students, 2000 employees and over eight government ministries which have moved there. It will also serve the Dodoma City clients, as the branch is only five to seven minutes drive from the city center. Furthermore, the Lumumba Branch in Dar es Salaam has been tripled in size to ensure more services to the Kariakoo businesses. All five branches will offer a full range of banking services such as saving products, investment services, and corporate payment solutions. The Bank has also extended the working hours of its branches network from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm during working days, and on Saturday from 11:30 am till 1:00 pm. Only four branches, Masaki, Hill Park, Moshi and Mount Meru Arusha will be operating on Sundays from 10:00 am, with Hill Park and Mount Meru closing at 2:00 pm, Masaki closing at 1:00 pm and Moshi closing at 12:00 pm. This means that Exim Bank’s current and potential customers now have access to banking services every day, especially during this international customer service week. “As Tanzania’s fourth largest bank in terms of assets, we want to reiterate our commitment to do our best to create an environment that eases the accessibility of financial cervices”, Mr Singh said.

Lisu’s family dismisses politics over his predicament

THE family of Singida East Member of Parliament (MP) Tundu Lissu, has said that as their relative still fights for his life at a Nairobi based Hospital, the matter should not be handled politically. Instead, the focus should remain on his recovery. Speaking to journalists in Dar es Salaam on Friday this week, Lissu’s brother and the Family’s Spokesman Mr Alute Mughwai said that they will cooperate with the government in all procedures to make sure their brother recovers. As a family we cannot ignore the government, we want this mat ter to be handled in normal order without politics being involved in it as his health is our priority. When he recovers he will return to politics,” he noted. Mr Mughwai further said they would continue to monitor the issue of investigations and Lissu’s treatment by involving important people and stakeholders. He further said the family had already written a letter to the government to request the matter to be handled quickly and in precise manner. On the content of the letter, he said, they suggested the importance of involving international investigation organs as stipulated in the international co-operation in criminal matters act. “It is true that we are a free country but as a part of international community we work with other countries so that we can strengthen our independence. 

The Singida-East Member of Parliament Mr. Tundu Lisu at a press conference at his party's headquarter in Dar es Salaam. This was two months before he met a tragedy.

This is not new to our country because it has taken place in several cases in the coun try,” he noted. Lissu’s brother also urged the police force to use other means to interrogate the lawmaker’s driver instead of waiting for him to return in the country. “There is no need to wait for him to return in the country while we have Tanzania embassy in Nairobi that can be used to summon him and continue with their investigations, as the suspects of Lissu’s shooting are yet to be apprehended, the life of his driver might also be in danger,” he said. Mr Mughwai said the driver was receiving psychotherapy at the Nairobi Hospital; the police can also opt to provide protection for the driver and bring him in the country to speed up the investigations. Mr Lissu is still fighting for his life at the Nairobi Hospital, where he has been receiving treatment after being shot several times on September 7 by assailants, who have yet to be identified.

Tanzania impose strict measures against elephant poaching

Wildlife conservationists have hailed the government for its initiatives in protecting animals, leading to a sharp drop in poaching. Serengeti Preservation Foundation (SPF) and African Environment Tanzania told reporters that threats against animals in national parks had been reduced, compared to the last two years. Tanzania is now recording a good sign in wildlife protection, as poaching incidents dropped considerably. This is apparently attributed to initiatives that the government has taken to tame poachers,” the director of SPF, Mr Meyasi Mollel, said. He urged the government to take more initiatives for curbing threats against wildlife resources. Speaking to Tanzania Journalists for Conservation (TJC) in Tarangire National Park over the weekend, a tour guide with African Environment, Mr David Barisa, poaching by methods such as using snares had been drastically reduced in many parks. “We used to come across snares that had been set in trees and along highways, for capturing animals,” he said, adding that there was an increase in the population of animals in national parks, such as elephants and giraffes,” he said. 

The Chairperson of Community policing at Tarangire National Park, Ms Nae Elias said Tanzania National Park (TANAPA), has tightened the noose against poachers by beefing up security in corridors and dispersal areas. “TANAPA has ventured into serious business; it is liaising closely with the Police Force and community members, to wage a fierce battle against poachers,” she said. Ms Elias said TANAPA regularly conducted seminars for community members, to sensitize them on the importance of protecting wildlife. “We have over 30 groups of community policing groups in Tarangire whose members conduct daily patrols in the park to protect our animals,” she said. The Chairman of TJC, Mr Charles Ngereza, urged the government to inject more resources in the wildlife protection sub-sector, for the nation’s overall benefit. “The government is doing a great job in conservation initiatives but it should increase investments in protected areas like national parks,” he said.