Tanzania has earned recognition as one of Africa’s leading countries in protecting and promoting indigenous seed varieties an effort hailed as a major stride toward strengthening food sovereignty and long-term food security.
At the heart of this progress is the decision by the Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, to approve the official registration and use of 13 indigenous seed varieties for the 2024/2025 farming season.
The approval, made under the Seed Act (Chapter 308, Sections 12 and 13(3)), allows farmers to legally access and grow local varieties of maize, rice, beans, and papaya.
The announcement drew continental attention during the ongoing African Chefs Gathering and Policy Convening on African Food Systems held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The event brought together delegates from 23 African countries including policymakers, researchers, civil society leaders, and journalists to discuss sustainable solutions for Africa’s food systems.
Dr. Million Belay, Coordinator of the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA), applauded Tanzania and Kenya for leading efforts to formalize the use of indigenous seeds, urging other nations to follow suit.
“For generations, Africa fed itself using traditional agricultural knowledge,” said Dr. Belay. “But today, many countries rely on imported seeds and other inputs that undermine our sovereignty and resilience. If we are to survive climate shocks and soil degradation, we must go back to our roots.”
He emphasized that indigenous seeds naturally adapted to local conditions are key to climate-resilient farming and biodiversity conservation.
Echoing his sentiments, Francoise Uwumukiza, former Chairperson of the EALA Committee on Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources, said the East African Community fully supports Tanzania’s move, which aligns with African Union policies on food security.
“As EALA, we will continue to support policies that protect indigenous seeds,” she said. “This is not just a technical issue it’s about securing our future.”
Ethiopia’s Minister of Planning and Development, Dr. Fitsum Assefa Adela, also underscored the centrality of food security to public health and national development.
“The Government of Ethiopia acknowledges that without sustainable food systems, our efforts to eliminate hunger and poverty will fall short,” she noted.
From the donor community, Ayele Kebede Gebreyes, Senior Program Manager at SIDA Africa, reiterated Sweden’s commitment to supporting food system reforms grounded in local knowledge and agroecology.
Back in Tanzania, the development was met with joy among farmer organizations and civil society actors who have long campaigned for formal recognition of local seed systems.
Damian James Sulumo, Program Manager at SHIWAKUTA (Federation of Farmers in Tanzania) and MVIWAARUSHA, said the achievement was the result of persistent advocacy.
“This wasn’t easy,” he admitted. “We formed a task force, engaged with ministries, and presented our case to parliamentary committees. After years of discussions, we finally reached this milestone.”
He revealed that the Ministry of Agriculture had gone further to commit resources in its 2025/2026 budget to promote indigenous seeds, including plans to establish a special research centre in Arusha.
For Thomas Laizer, SHIWAKUTA’s Advocacy and Policy Officer, the approval represents a paradigm shift in how Tanzania approaches agricultural development.
“It is unrealistic to dream of agricultural transformation using only imported seeds,” he said. “We have a rich variety of high-performing, indigenous seeds that, if supported through research and scaling up, can guarantee year-round food security.”
Among the newly approved seeds are four varieties of maize, four types of rice, two bean varieties, and three papaya strains each selected for their high adaptability and resilience.
The decision places Tanzania among a growing movement of African countries re-evaluating the role of indigenous knowledge in food systems, especially amid mounting climate challenges and economic vulnerabilities.
As the Addis Ababa conference continues, Tanzania’s actions are expected to inspire policy conversations across the continent reinforcing the idea that Africa’s food future can, and should, be grown from its own soil.
