Farmers from four villages in Tomonto Ward, including Lukonde and Kungwe in Morogoro District, are urging the government to enhance efforts in promoting the use of traditional seeds, particularly among rural communities.
Speaking at an exhibition in Kikundi village that highlighted various traditional crops and seeds, farmers expressed concerns that indigenous seeds could soon disappear if they are not prioritized.
They emphasized that traditional seeds are crucial for both food security and commerce due to their high yield and quality.
Zuhura Omary, a local farmer who participated in the event, highlighted the benefits of traditional seeds.
“Traditional seeds are more productive and provide high-quality crops, which are ideal for both business and family consumption. Additionally, food produced from these seeds is known to boost immunity against minor ailments,” she explained, emphasizing the need to safeguard these seeds for public health.
Omary also noted that traditional farming is cost-effective and reliable, as indigenous seeds are more resistant to drought and disease, making them ideal for resource-limited farmers.
Tomonto Ward Councilor Hamis Semsagwe echoed these sentiments, underscoring the importance of traditional seeds and announcing that each local meeting in the ward will include discussions aimed at promoting the use of indigenous seeds.
Anna Malwa, a gender and women’s economic empowerment program officer from PELUM Tanzania, explained that the purpose of the exhibition was to highlight the effectiveness of traditional seeds.
“These seeds have shown resilience to climate change and can be stored for extended periods, which contributes to food security,” she noted.
Malwa added that the farmers, most of whom practice ecological farming, are also actively working to combat gender-based violence by reporting incidents to relevant authorities.
Alongside their agricultural efforts, she said, these farmers are encouraging women to take up leadership roles to drive development and foster positive change within their communities.