THE HALFAX HEIMDALL AUGUR

How Tanzanian farmer turns ancestral crops into sought-after menu on ... WEDNESDAY April 8, 2026 Seeds are under attack everywhere. Under corporate pressure, laws in many countries increasingly put limitations on what farmers can do with their seeds and with the seeds they buy. Seed saving, a thousand-year-old practice which forms the basis of farming, is fast becoming criminalised. PHOTO | TINEKE D”HAESE | GRAIN. By Adam Ihucha The Tranquillity News Correspondent, Tanzania In the picturesque rift valley escarpment of Karatu District, where safari-bound tourists pass on their way to some of Africa’s most iconic parks, a quieter revolution is taking root—reshaping livelihoods and the region’s food economy. At the centre of it is Modest Fante, a smallholder farmer who has transformed his ancestral seeds into a thriving business, tapping into surging demand for organic food among northern Tanzania’s high-end tourism industry. For years, Fante did what many farmers had abandoned; he kept seeds—maize, beans, tomatoes, guava, papaya, and avocado—carefully preserved and passed down through generations. While others shifted to commercial hybrids, he held on, betting that tradition could o…

Tanzania Marks a Milestone in Seed Sovereignty with Recognition of ... Seed Working Group with Members of Parliamentary Committee responsible in agriculture after roundtable discussion on recognition of FMSS in Dodoma in May 2025 Tanzania has taken a significant step forward in advancing seed sovereignty with the official registration of 12 indigenous farmer varieties by the Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI). This achievement not only validates years of advocacy by farmers and civil society actors but also sets a promising precedent for the inclusion of Farmer-managed Seed Systems (FMSS) in national policy frameworks. The Role of Seeds in Food and Livelihood Security Seed is the foundation of agriculture and a critical input for smallholder farmers across Africa. In Tanzania, farmers depend on seeds not only for food production but also for income generation and the preservation of traditional knowledge. Yet, for many years, the formal seed system—guided by policies such as the Seed Act of 2013—has largely focused on improved and commercial seed varieties. While these frameworks protect breeders’ rights, they have often overlooked the rights of farmers to c…

Tanzania Marks a Milestone in Seed Sovereignty with Recognition of ... Tanzania has taken a significant step forward in advancing seed sovereignty with the official registration of 12 indigenous farmer varieties by the Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI). This achievement not only validates years of advocacy by farmers and civil society actors but also sets a promising precedent for the inclusion of Farmer-managed Seed Systems (FMSS) in national policy frameworks. The Role of Seeds in Food and Livelihood Security Seed is the foundation of agriculture and a critical input for smallholder farmers across Africa. In Tanzania, farmers depend on seeds not only for food production but also for income generation and the preservation of traditional knowledge. Yet, for many years, the formal seed system—guided by policies such as the Seed Act of 2013—has largely focused on improved and commercial seed varieties. While these frameworks protect breeders’ rights, they have often overlooked the rights of farmers to conserve, exchange, and utilize their own seeds. This imbalance has contributed to a narrowing of seed diversity and undermined the resilience of farming system…

Tanzania: Indigenous Seeds Gain Ground As Farmers Challenge Modern Dependence [Daily News] ACROSS Tanzania and beyond, a quiet agricultural revolution is taking shape. At the centre of the movement is a simple but powerful idea: farmers should have the freedom to save, exchange and plant their own seeds.

Seeds of Strength": MP Pushes for Indigenous Seed Reform to Secure ... Seeds of Strength": MP Pushes for Indigenous Seed Reform to Secure Tanzania’s Future by THE RESPONDENT ONLINE - May 27, 2025 0 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,”…

Tanzania: Indigenous Seeds Gain Ground As Farmers Challenge Modern Dependence [Daily News] ACROSS Tanzania and beyond, a quiet agricultural revolution is taking shape. At the centre of the movement is a simple but powerful idea: farmers should have the freedom to save, exchange and plant their own seeds.

Tanzania: Indigenous Seeds Gain Ground As Farmers Challenge Modern ... ACROSS Tanzania and beyond, a quiet agricultural revolution is taking shape. At the centre of the movement is a simple but powerful idea: farmers should have the freedom to save, exchange and plant their own seeds. Known variously as indigenous seeds, traditional seeds or farmers' seeds, these varieties are increasingly becoming the focus of discussions among agroecology advocates, policymakers, researchers and farmers. From village meetings to international conferences, supporters argue that these seeds are more than planting materials, they are a foundation for biodiversity, food security, climate resilience and farmer independence. Among the organisations leading this effort is the Tanzania Biodiversity Conservation Network (TABIO), which for more than four years has championed the conservation, recognition and wider use of farmers' seeds. Follow us onWhatsApp|LinkedInfor the latest headlines TABIO works alongside members of the Seed Task Force, a coalition that includes Island of Peace (IDP), Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT), Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement (TOAM), SJS Mwanga, the Federatio…

Indigenous seeds gain ground as farmers challenge modern ... ECOLOGICALLY grown and organic crops method relies on agroecological practices like intercropping, composting and natural pest control to boost soil health and climate resilience. ACROSS Tanzania and beyond, a quiet agricultural revolution is taking shape. At the centre of the movement is a simple but powerful idea: farmers should have the freedom to save, exchange and plant their own seeds. Known variously as indigenous seeds, traditional seeds or farmers’ seeds, these varieties are increasingly becoming the focus of discussions among agroecology advocates, policymakers, researchers and farmers. From village meetings to international conferences, supporters argue that these seeds are more than planting materials, they are a foundation for biodiversity, food security, climate resilience and farmer independence. Among the organisations leading this effort is the Tanzania Biodiversity Conservation Network (TABIO), which for more than four years has championed the conservation, recognition and wider use of farmers’ seeds. TABIO works alongside members of the Seed Task Force, a coalition that includes Island of Peace (IDP), …

Tanzania: Indigenous Seeds Gain Ground As Farmers Challenge Modern Dependence [Daily News] ACROSS Tanzania and beyond, a quiet agricultural revolution is taking shape. At the centre of the movement is a simple but powerful idea: farmers should have the freedom to save, exchange and plant their own seeds.