WORKSHOP ON MOLECULAR DETECTION AND MICROSCOPY AT MIKOCHENI AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE, DAR ES SALAAM - TANZANIA.

on Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Molecular detections and microscopy workshop was held from 22 - 25 July,2013 at MARI, the aim of this workshop was to train Tanzania researchers on the latest microscopic techniques for tracking different viruses in plant tissue as the infection unfolds.Tackling cassava mosaic disease (CMD) in Africa will require the best and brightest mind as well as sophisticated research strategies. Afluorescent, research - grade microscope was recently purchased by the Mikocheni Agricultural Research Institute in Dar es salaam -Tanzania.The purchased made possible by a collaboration between Dr. Joseph Ndunguru and Linda Hanley - Bowdoin(USA) and funds from the USAID PEER programme. MARI have been trained on the microscope, now they can use it as a tool in their research to understand what is needed to establish CMD infection and how to combat the disease.The workshop was funded by the BREAD program me which is jointly supported by the National Science Foundation in the US and the Bill and Mellinda Gates program me to support basic research to enhance agricultural development around the world.
Trainers doing Plant leave fixation for in situ hybridization Looking on is
Prof. Linda.
Cassava leaf with Cassava Mosaic Disease symptoms.
Instructors showing how to wash samples tissues, it was taken in the genetic engineering
laboratory at Mikocheni Agricultural Research Institute.
A new light and Fluorescent microscope.
Dr. Peter Sseruwagi and Maliha Saggaf listening to Prof. Linda Hanley- Bowdoin
from North Caroline University not in picture.
Prof. Linda giving out a brief about the workshop.
Participants listening to Prof. Linda


WORKSHOP ON SUISTAINABLE APPROACHES TO CASSAVA AND SWEETPOTATO IN EAST AFRICA

on Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Workshop on suistanable approaches to Cassava and sweet potato in East Africa stated on 22nd July - 24 July, 2013 at Imperial beach resort hotel entebbe in Uganda, the main purpose of this meeting is to increase the understanding of needs and opportunities to address the threats farmers from Cassava and sweet potato viruses, identify what resources are already available, where there are gaps, and how we can work together more effectively to support current and future efforts delivering virus - free planting material to farmers,at the end of this meeting the feedback on standard protocols for quality assurance of both cassava and sweet potato will be provided.
Participants who attended Workshop on sustainable approach to Cassava and sweet
potato in East Africa pose for a group photo.
Bosola Oladeinde from Gates Foundation hold a mic to Dr. Titus Alicai Uganda country
team leader(Cassava Diagnostics Project) during a discussion.
Dr Joseph Ndunguru busy drawing a plan for a discussion.
Dr. Titus Alicai(centre standing) explaining to his group, this was during the workshop
Dr. kiddo mtunda from Department of Research and Development - Tanzania, sharing ideas
on her left is Geofrey Arinaitwe from Biocrops Uganda. James Legg from IITA - Tanzania and 

Dr. Regina Kapinga from Gates Foundation.
Dr. Katherine kahn Senior Programme Officer Agricultural Development from
Gates Foundation dividing groups for discussion.
Robert Mwanga from International potato Center in Uganda explaining on sustainable
approaches to Cassava and sweet potato.
Dr. Justin Pita from Pennsylvania state university(centre) explaining on his group
during a workshop.
Bosola Oladainde from Gates foundation (centre),on her right is Jeanne Bridgman program me
assistant from Gates foundation, left is James Legg from IITA - Tanzania and Joseph Ngura from
TOSCI.
Dr. Regina Kapinga from BMGF (right), Gorettie Ssemakula (NaCRRI), Dr.
Kiddo Mtunda(DRD - Tanzania), Justina Pita (Penn state University) and
Richard Gibson (NRI,UK).
Dr. Joseph Ndunguru explain to his group.

5CP ANNUAL MEETING IN LILONGWE - MALAWI

on Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Recently between june 18th to 20th - 2013, Dr. Joseph Ndunguru from MARI shared the Cassava diagnostics project progress report with scientists working on another Bill and Melinga Gates - funded Project known as 5CP Cassava Project during its Annual meeting in Lilongwe, Malawi, information sharing took a form of formal presentations and field discussion at Salima Cassava field.
 In the picture are Dr. Ibrahim Benesi one of the host is discussing on cassava varieties and their disease with Dr. Ndunguru, Dr. James Legg (IITA), Dr. Kido Mtunda (Kibaha Sugarcane Research Institute) and Dr. Regina Kapinga (BMGF).







MARI TEAM INTERACT WITH UK RESEARCHERS.

on Monday, July 15, 2013
The cassava virus disease diagnostics project team (Dr. Joseph Ndunguru, Dr Peter Sseruwagi and Cyprian Rajabu from Mikocheni Agricultural Research Institute are currently in Cambridge,London, Uk attending a disease epidemiology modeling meeting. The objectives is to interact with Uk researchers working on modelling and want to develop models that will help predict disease epidemics in Africa. The workshop runs 15 - 18 July, 2013.
Dr. Joseph Ndunguru, Cyprian Rajabu,Kido mtunda, Titus Alicai and others enjoying soccer at Cambridge in UK, the score was 2-2
Mr. Cyprian Rajabu representative from MARI during a discussion session at the workshop.
Dr. Ndunguru listening to a UK research scientist Mr. Richard who explain on disease models other people
in the picture are Dr. Elijah Aateka from kenya and Kido Mtunda from Tanzania.
A resercher explain on disease models.

MONITORING SURVEY FOR CASSAVA MOSAIC DISEASE AND CASSAVA BROWN STREAK DISEASE AND WHITEFLY STATUS IN LAKE ZONE,CENTRAL & SOUTHERN PART OF TANZANIA

on Sunday, July 7, 2013
Monitoring Survey for Cassava Mosaic Disease  and Cassava Brown Streak Disease and Whitefly Status, stated on 2nd july where the 1group took off to Central part of Tanzania,the 2nd group took off on 3July to lake zone and last group took off  to southern part of Tanzania on 8th July - 2013.The main  activity of this survey is to carry out Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) and Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) monitoring survey to determine disease prevalence and dynamics and this is one of the activity of the part one of this project, this survey is the part of the main objective of this project.The actual status of these disease and whiteflies will be done after lab analysis.
Cyprian Rajabu explaining to farmers how to observe Cassava Brown streak
Disease.
An infected dry cassava found in Luzenze village, bukombe district in Geita
Region.
Dr. Fred Tailo speaking with the seller of dry cassava.
Dry cassava.
Mr. Dickson Lwabulala showing Martin Varis (a student from Finland) how to collect  whiteflies
Sample collection(whitefly) and Cassava leaf samples in Mbaba bay.
Mari team of scientists who surveyed cassava in the southern part of Tanzania posing for a group
photo at Kipapa Village Mbinga District - Ruvuma region.
Cassava leaf samples collection in Mbababay - Ruvuma region. Dr. Joseph Ndunguru talking to farmers on impact of Cassava diseases.
A group of Central and coast Cassava virus disease survey team - Tanzania.
An infected Cassava plant, found in Bunda district - Mara region.
Dr. Fred Tairo showing farmers how to observe cassava disease symptoms, this was taken during a field visit
Bunda district - Mara region.
Dr. Fred Tairo showing farmers how to observe cassava disease symptoms, this was taken during a field visit
Bunda district - Mara region.
An infected cassava Leaf coming from a cassava plant called Kasumairi, found in Butihama district Mara region.
An infected cassava leaf coming from a cassava plant called Kalingisi found  in Butihama district
Mara region.
Dr. Fred Tairo Showing a Farmer Ms Joyce Magiri From Butihama - Mara region how an infected
cassava leaf, look like.
Linus Paul showing farmers on how to collect whiteflies, this was taken at Gwitilyo Village
Tarime District - Mara region.
Linus Paul showing a farmer how whiteflies look like.
Sylivia Msangi assessing and recording whitefly populations.
Catherine Gwandu collecting virus symptomatic leaf samples from non cassava plant species.
Paul Ndiwa assessing Cassava Mosaic Disease symptoms and recording Cassava Mosaic incidence.
Dr. Peter Sseruwagi assessing Cassava Plants for Cassava Mosaic Disease and Cassava Brown
Streak Disease infections.
Storage of field collected leaf samples by central and coast virus disease survey team.
Hilda Bachwenkizi (left),Joel Erasto (Centre) and mika (right) putting cassava leaves on herbarium paper
looking on is Dr. Fred Tairo, This was taken in Serengeti District - Mara Region
Joel Erasto (left) and Mika (right) putting Cassava leaves on herbarium paper.
Linus Paul showing a farmer Mr. Kuchenga Mgaya Sinwa how whitelfies look like, this
was taken during field visit in Serengeti District - Mara region.
Dr. Fred Tairo Explaining to Farmers on how to observe the symptoms for Cassava Disease, this was taken
during the field visit in Serengeti District - Mara region.
A farmer called Nyamaisa Jonathan explain to Dr Fred Tairo how the Cassava Mosaic Disease have
 been affecting their Cssava.
A new type of Cassava leaf found in Karatu District - Arusha Region.
A new type of cassava plant found in Karatu District - Arusha region.
Joel Erasto from MARI team (right) and a farmer admiring a new type of Cassava Plant
found in Karatu District - Arusha Region.
Lake zone Team from Left is Mika pitkanen, Joel Erasto,Joseph Innocent, Maliha Saggaff, Doreen Mgonja,
Linus Paul, Hilda Bachwenkizi and Dr. Fred Tairo, this was taken Ngorongoro national Park on the way to Lake zone area.