After years of research, local scientists have managed to create a papaya variant that offers Tanzanian farmers very high yields at a relatively low cost.
The new strand effectively makes commercial pawpaw farming a feasible proposition, because it utilises 100 per cent of the plant’s available nutritional value.
The bulk of current papaya variants have a yield rate of only 25 per cent, according to molecular plant virologist Joseph Ndunguru of the Mikocheni Agricultural Institute.
Speaking at a workshop organised by the Bioscience for Farming in Africa, he said the new variant was a consequence of years of expensive, painstaking research.
“The improved variety of papaya plants has been made possible at our modern laboratory,” noted Dr Ndunguru.
“Traditionally, it is very expensive to grow pawpaws on traditional plants and the new variety overcomes the impediments. It is also cost effective.”
He pointed out that a new variety could produce high-quality fruits in its every plant.
Recently, President Jakaya Kikwete challenged scientists to conduct studies to establish the practicality of the technology to enable the government to act accordingly.
He said as long as there were no proven major negative impacts, he saw no logic in opposing the technology.
Thecitizen
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