On a mission to protect Tanzania's agricultural roots, Neema Lugangira champions natural seeds as the key to food security and rural empowerment. Photo: Courtesy
By Mutayoba Arbogast
Natural seeds—time-tested, drought-resistant, and deeply rooted in community wisdom—are taking center stage in Tanzania’s agricultural transformation. On May 22, 2025, Member of Parliament Neema Lugangira made a passionate appeal in Parliament, calling for sweeping reforms to protect and promote the use of indigenous seeds.
“These seeds are more than just crops—they’re our heritage, our resilience, and our future,” she said, applauding the Ministry of Agriculture for recognizing their critical role in sustainable farming.
Lugangira, who represents NGOs in Parliament, hailed the government's decision to establish a Gene Bank dedicated to preserving native seed varieties. “This is a landmark moment. For years, I’ve spoken up in this House about the importance of indigenous seeds, and now we’re seeing action,” she said.
Natural seeds are not just about tradition—they’re practical. They are accessible to smallholder farmers, adaptable to Tanzania’s shifting climate, and packed with nutritional benefits, offering iron, protein, minerals, and essential vitamins.
However, Lugangira warned that without the right policies, these seeds—and the farmers who rely on them—remain at risk. Current laws, she said, disproportionately favor large-scale, often foreign, seed suppliers. “We need legal reforms that recognize and protect the ownership of seeds by smallholder farmers,” she urged.
She specifically called for the completion of the National Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (NPGRFA) process, which began in 2007. “Finishing this process means standing up for the rights of our farmers and aligning with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (UNDROP),” she emphasized.
To bring protection closer to the grassroots, Lugangira also proposed the establishment of Seed Banks at the village level. She cited successful models from Swiss Eid-backed projects in Lindi and community-led initiatives in Arusha and Manyara as blueprints worth scaling nationwide.
“Food security is not just a local issue—it’s a diplomatic one,” she concluded. “A nation with strong, self-sustaining agriculture can stand firm in global negotiations. Let’s ensure no farmer is left behind, and no indigenous seed is lost.”
Her message is clear: safeguarding Tanzania’s agricultural future starts by honoring its past—one seed at a time.
