Russian Forestry Experts Partner with Tanzania’s TAFORI

Russian Forestry Experts Forge Research Partnership with Tanzania

March 11, 2025

Morogoro, Tanzania – A team of forestry experts from Russia has visited the Tanzania Forestry Research Institute (TAFORI) to discuss collaborative research aimed at enhancing the country's forestry sector.

The discussions, which included officials from the Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) Agency led by Conservation Commissioner Professor Dos Santos Silayo, focused on strengthening scientific, educational, and technological ties between Tanzania and Russia in forestry and environmental conservation.

The visiting delegation comprised researchers from Saint Petersburg State Forest Technical University, Petrozavodsk State University, and Voronezh State University of Forestry and Technology. Their engagement with TAFORI centered on key areas of joint research, with TAFORI presenting findings on forestry ecology, forest management, and environmental conservation technologies, emphasizing opportunities for collaboration.

Enhancing Research and Innovation in Forestry

Speaking about the partnership, Professor Silayo highlighted its significance in addressing critical forestry challenges such as climate change, plant diseases, and the adoption of modern technologies like satellite imaging and drones for forest management.

“This collaboration brings together experts from Tanzania and Russia, allowing us to benefit from knowledge exchange and advanced scientific expertise,” he stated.

TAFORI's Director General, Dr. Revocatus Mushumbusi, underscored the institute’s commitment to working closely with Russian researchers to tackle challenges such as wildfire prevention and the development of modern forestry research methodologies.

“Through this partnership, we will learn new techniques and technologies from Russia that can significantly improve our forest conservation efforts,” Dr. Mushumbusi explained.

Technological Advancements in Forest Research

During the discussions, Russian researchers shared insights into their successful implementation of cutting-edge forestry research technologies, including satellite and drone-based forest monitoring systems.

Additionally, they emphasized the importance of joint research in areas such as tree breeding, entomology (study of forest insects), and AI-driven forest management solutions.

TAFORI’s Chief Researcher, Dr. Chelestino Peter Balama, acknowledged the progress Tanzania has made in environmental conservation while stressing the need to safeguard endangered plant species through modern research methods.

This collaboration marks a significant step toward advancing Tanzania’s forestry sector by integrating scientific expertise, innovative technology, and sustainable management practices to enhance conservation efforts.