THE Ministry of Agriculture is set to provide training to 1,122 farmers from different regions across the country to help them appreciate the importance of using technologies developed by researchers to increase productivity and address complaints about low yields caused by limited application of existing technologies.

Assistant Director for Curriculum and Research Management at the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Mashaka Mdangi, said this here yesterday while speaking to journalists. He explained that several technologies developed by researchers—covering farming practices, planting methods, the use of improved seeds and other agricultural concepts—do not reach farmers as effectively as they should.

He said that in its 2025/26 budget, the Ministry of Agriculture has allocated funds to train 22 farmers, 700 extension officers, and 400 lead farmers through 14 technology transfer centres located across the country.

Dr Mdangi noted that the training will expose farmers to the technologies both theoretically and practically, including in-class instruction and on-farm training. Trainers will monitor and guide farmers throughout relevant farming seasons within their communities.

He listed the technology transfer centres to be used as the Ministry of Agriculture Training Institute (MATI) Mtwara (Mtwara), MATI Mlingano (Tanga), KTC Moshi, HORTI Tengeru (Arusha), MATI Ilonga (Kilosa), NSI Kidatu, MATI Tumbi (Tabora), KATRIN (Morogoro), MATI Uyole (Mbeya), MATI Inyala (Mbeya), MATI Igurusi (Tabora), Mwaluku (Kagera), MATI Lubondo (Kigoma) and MATI Ukiriguru (Mwanza).

He urged farmers to take advantage of these centres where trainings have been ongoing since last month, conducted by experienced trainers specialized in various crops.

“We encourage young people and women to come forward to the nearest centres and benefit from this knowledge. Even if a young mother has a child, that should not be a barrier—bring the child along, as the centres have space to accommodate and support both of you,” he said.

He recalled that in 2023, about 800 youth were trained under the Building a Better Tomorrow (BBT) programme and they are currently engaged in farming activities in their respective areas, including farms allocated to them by Kilosa District Council in Morogoro Region.

Principal of MATI Ilonga, Felix Mrisho, said that the institute provides farmers with various agricultural technologies, including crop production and processing. He stressed that when farmers produce and process their crops, they strengthen the value chain and increase incomes since agriculture is both a business and a source of employment like any other profession.

Earlier, one of the maize farmers from Kilosa District, Sabina Matwew, appealed to the government to help farmers access quality agriculture education to overcome challenges such as low yields despite using approved seeds.