Tanzania’s Prime Minister, Kassim Majaliwa, has been briefed on the benefits of ecological farming and its role in promoting sustainable communities and environmental protection.
The Prime Minister received the briefing during a visit to the ecological farming pavilion at the National World Food Day Exhibition, held at Mwahako (Usagara) Grounds in Tanga City.
Daud Ngosengwa Manongi, an Ecological Agriculture Research and Seed Promotion Specialist from the Tanzania Biodiversity Network (TABIO), told the Prime Minister that focusing on ecological farming would bring both health and economic benefits to communities and the country.
“Your Excellency, there have been significant efforts to conserve indigenous plant varieties, promote the production of underutilized crops, and conduct participatory research to improve nutrition and food security nationwide,” Manongi said.
Stakeholders highlighted that participatory research has already yielded positive results, including the approval of 13 indigenous seed varieties on the National Seed List—a milestone for ecological farming in Tanzania.
Manongi urged the government to increase investment in participatory research and conservation of indigenous plants, emphasizing the benefits to farmers and communities.
During the World Food Day celebrations, ecological farming stakeholders also participated in a dialogue on the role of indigenous seeds and foods in strengthening food security and nutrition.
The session, organized by PELUM Tanzania in collaboration with FAO, COPRA, TOSCI, TFNC, the Ministry of Agriculture, and farmers from Arusha and Tanga, brought together multiple institutions to discuss sustainable agriculture practices.
Participants stressed the importance of implementing the 2023–2030 Ecological Agriculture Strategy, noting that it would help address challenges in the sector and boost sustainable agricultural development in the country.
PELUM Tanzania’s Seed Promotion Officer, Pesa Kusaga, said the exhibition also featured cooking competitions using sorghum, cowpeas, and pigeon peas, with winners receiving certificates, gas stoves, cooking sets, and cash prizes ranging from TZS 500,000 to 1,000,000.
Kusaga expressed appreciation to all partners and collaborators, including SWISSAID Tanzania, TABIO, TOAM, KIWAMWAKU, JBDI, DDSCDO, and farmers from Arusha, Mwanza, Manyara, Singida, Morogoro, and Mtwara regions, for supporting ecological farming initiatives.