Ministry of Agriculture Training Institute - Uyole (Mbeya)
MATI Uyole is located at longitude 33022’E and latitude 8055’S. It is about 8 Km east of Mbeya along the Tanzania Zambia highway. At an elevation of 1798 the Institute enjoys a cool climate for most part of the year. Temperature falls as low as - 7°C June and July. The average annual rainfall is around 965mm. The rain season extends from November to May. Soils are volcanic in origin with a pH of 6.5.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The history of MATI Uyole dates back to 1968 when the Tanzania government decided to establish an Agriculture Training and Research joint project with the government of Nordic Countries~ An agreement was reached in 1970s, when construction works~ begin. Training activities commenced in January 1975. The first intake of in-service students was a threemonth course in Agromechanization. The first diploma and
certificate students were enrolled in July 1975. In March 1976 the project became a semi — autonomous parastatal organization known as Uyole Agricultural Center. The later was reconverted to a government institution— called MARTI Uyole in 1993.
MARTI Uyole is an acronym for Ministry of Agriculture Research and Training Institute. Departmental re-organization in Ministry leading to separation of Training and Research Institute activities have necessitated changing from MARTI to MATI.
MATI Uyole is undoubtedly the most modern and largest among other sister Institutions offering agricultural training in Tanzania, with capacity of accommodating around 500 resident
students.
COURSES OFFERED
The institute offers Long courses certificate and diploma levels,
- Ordinary Diploma in Land Use Planning
- Ordinary Diploma in Irrigation (NTA Level 5- 6)
- Technician Certificate in Agriculture Production (NTA level 4 -5)
ENROLLMENT CONDITION
Students admitted for certificate are either primary school leavers with a working experience of at least five years in agricultural related activities, having attended an agricultural course of at least one year and passed a pre-entry examination or Form IV leavers with passes in science subjects e.g. biology, chemistry and or Agriculture science. Pass in English is an advantage as it is the medium for instruction.
Diploma students must either posses certificate in any agricultural and/or livestock-related field or must have completed advanced school education with at least a principal level pass in any science subject.
SHORT COURSES
Short courses may be offered either in field or on — campus although courses conducted at the institute have proved to be more popular. They are of one to two weeks’ duration and are aimed at either periodically up-dating agricultural skills of field workers or training farmers in various aspects of agricultural and livestock production.
The course are organized in specific modules, tailored to the requirements of the target group, in specific courses such as Agroforestry, organic farming, production of various field crops, vegetables and fruit production, agricultural chemicals and the environment, biometry and plant protection. Others include dairy goat husbandry, dairy cattle husbandry, improved local chicken raring, and preparation of weaning food,
gender issues, enterpreneurship, milk processing and training of trainers. Various donor agencies, NGO, private companies and individuals sponsor these short courses.
TRAINING FACILITIES
The institute has over the years maintained high standard academic excellency and attribute which has attracted both local foreign students. The training offered is mainly of practical oriented nature. To meet the requirements, the institute boasts a well-trained and experienced staff and training facilities.
Classrooms and Laboratories
There are adequate, spacious and well equipped classroom arlecture theatre with modem equipments. There is also an audio-visuals unit, that provides all teaching ai including video facilities and learning process.
Training Farm
This is perhaps the most important teaching — cum training labors for imparting practical skills. There are more than 4Oha of farmi where students grow various crops and manage livestock suct dairy cattie, pigs, sheep, goats, rabbits and poultry.
Library
The Institute’s library has the largest collection of agricultural information in the Southern Highlands regions of Tanzania. collection includes books, conference proceedings, theses, dissertations, magazines, and local news papers. The library has a CD - ROM facility, which can access a number of tropical agricultural bibliographic database. The collection is further supplemented by borrowing through the Inter-Libretto loan service.
MATI Igurusi ,
PRINCIPAL, MATI Igurusi,
P.O. BOX 336, Mbeya.
0754917653
mati-igurusi@kilimo.go.tz
MATI Igurusi Self Help Fund Account No.
016101002705 NBC, Karume Branch,
Mbeya.
MATI Igurusi Self Help Fund Account No.
016101002705 NBC, Karume Branch,
Mbeya.