Scholar from College of African Wildlife Management Mweka wins German President’s kudos
At least 9,000 farmers are already benefitting from the female scientist’s invention
THURSDAY November 2, 2023
By Adam Ihucha
The Tranquility News Correspondent, Tanzania
A Tanzania’s female scientist, who is the brainchild behind an organic pesticide under her startup company Plant Biodefenders, has impressed German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, vowing that his country will continue supporting innovation in the country.
Dr Steinmeier made the remarks at the Tanzania’s Hyatt Hotel in Dar es Salaam shortly after he heard a pitch from the female researcher behind the biological pesticide invention, Dr Never Mwambela.
Dr Mwambela briefed the President that the factor behind her discovery was her desire and ambition to use biological methods for containing pests dubbed Tuta absoluta and Fall armyworm without polluting the environment and ensure good health of consumers.
“And now, I’m proud and yet humbled, I’ve successfully found a lasting solution for the invasive pests, with more than 9,000 farmers so far benefitting from it,” Dr Mwambela from the College of African Wildlife Management Mweka tells the German President.
In his response, Dr Steinmier, who led a high-profile delegation of German business community, commends Dr Mwambela for her breakthrough, committing his country to continue supporting and investing in innovation in Tanzania.
Vuruga Biocide is an organic pesticide Dr Mwambela developed way back in 2019 from natural fungal parasite to control crop pests in the field, especially moth families.
The Vuruga Biocide has been tested in various affected regions of Tanzania since and found to effectively control many pests that are a nuisance to farmers.
The insects include the tuta abosuluta, invasive armyworms and caterpillars that destroy cotton, pierce mangoes, among other fruits, as well as vegetables such as East African spinach (amaranthus or pigweed), nightshade (mnavu), Chinese spinach, and cabbage.
Thanks to the great support from a Germany organisation known as KFW DEG Impulse through DeveloPPP for the organic pesticide to see mass production and distribution to solve challenges of pest resistance as well.
“We’ve suffered for a great deal ever since the pest invaded the crop in 2014,” says Charles Nko, 56, who has been growing tomato for 24 years before he surrendered to the tuta absolutalocally known as Kanitangazeat Engarenanyuki Ward in Arumeru District, Arusha Region.
“Kanitangazedefied all types of insecticides we applied, prompting us to abandon the crop,” explains Nko. He, however, says the Vuruga Biocide applied at a number of farms in their area has renewed his hope of growing the crop once again.
With a capital of between $20 and $32 he used for buying farming implements and paying labourers, Nko used to harvest 120 crates of tomatoes per acre. A 40-kilogram crate of tomato fetched him up to $20, he recalls.
Upon invasion of the tomato moth, nevertheless, he had to pump in a capital of $607.3 per acre only to harvest barely 50 crates, he saysΩ
