The overall objective of the project is to determine the effective way to improve rice and maize yield and mineral nutritive quality as a proxy to fight hidden hunger. The project is implemented in a collaborative approach along with farmers’ groups in the Kilombero valley.

Previous research exposed the potential of supplementation of zinc and iron in increasing rice yields and quality. The project seeks to strenzic and micro- nutrient fertilization for the rice production regions of Tanzania, guide micro-nutrient fertilizer formulations, increase agricultural productivity, and alleviate hidden hunger.

Research objectives:

• Determine micro-nutrients status in soil and grains in Morogoro region.
• Establish micro-nutrients fertilizer rate, method and frequency of application that provide optimum micro-nutrient quantity and quality in maize and rice grains.
• Determine the effect of microbial inoculant formulations that lead to enhanced mineral micro-nutrient absorption and accumulation in maize and rice grains.

Sokoine University of Agriculture

Rice production in the Morogoro region in Tanzania