Inspiring tomorrow’s scientists: Tanzania Marks Fascination of Plants Day

Two events were held in Tanzania to mark this year’s Fascination of plants day.

IITA-Tanzania hosts young scientists

IITA-Tanzania invited children from a neighboring school, East Africa International School, for a tour of its facilities at Mikcoheni, Dar es Salaam, and a briefing on the institute’s research activities in the country.

Over 50 students in Grade 6 and 7 accompanied by three teachers visited the institute on June 7, 2013 aspart of events to mark this year’s Fascination of Plants Day.

From left: Dr Victor Manyong, IITA Director for eastern Africa hub welcomes the students at the lobby of its science building. Students listening keenly to Dr Manyong. A student reading the Fascination Day of Plants Day flier.

They were welcomed by the institute’s director for eastern Africa, Dr Victor Manyong, who briefed them on the importance of plants and the Fascination of Plants Day celebrations. He also briefed them on IITA’s research efforts on plants to increase food production. He said farmers in the country were facing alot of challenges that the institute was trying to solve through science including tackling pests and diseases and adding value to crops so farmers can fetch more money.

He encouraged them to take up sciences as the future of the country depended on having a good number of scientists to find solutions to the problems affecting farmers.

The children then visited two laboratories, one for plant health and the other for food science, and toured the green houses where research on vegetables pests and diseases are being conducted.

Students in the plant diseases laboratory

They appreciated the visit and afterwards shared on what they had learned.

“Plants are important. They beautify the environment, they give us food and medicine and oxygen. So noplants no life, “ Tamika Johani, 11, Grade 6.

“Some cassava plants have diseases. IITA scientists are trying to find out what the disease is,” Juliet Maeda, 13 years in Grade 7.

“IITA are researching on plant diseases to help our farmers,” Ismail Nangi, 14 years in Grade 5.

In the food science/value addition laboratory

In the green houses

Young scientists at international School of Tanganyika

As part of the celebrations for the second global Fascination of Plants Day, IITA scientist, Dr Danny Coyne,made presentation to grade 3 students of the International School of Tanganyika in Tanzania, who have recently been studying the world of plants.

The children were enthusiastic learners of the world of plants. They were intrigued by tissue culture banana, and fascinated that this could help provide healthy, disease-free plants for farmers.

Dr Coyne, was impressed by how well informed the children were: “They already knew about transpiration and that, as part of the process of photosynthesis plants release oxygen and use carbon dioxide, and therefore a good reason why we need to look after plants. Many also knew that bats pollinate banana flowers too, but did not know however that bananas have no seeds.”

Talking to grade 3 on plants research