Lake Zone farmers urge action to save indigenous crop seeds from extinction

Kagera. Farmers in Kagera Region are raising their voices, urging the government to take swift action to preserve indigenous crop seeds, which are at risk of disappearing due to the increased use of modern seed varieties.

They report that traditional seeds for crops like bananas, sorghum, wheat, beans, and maize have become rare among farmers, largely due to diseases exacerbated by rising temperatures.

"I no longer taste bananas the way I used to; now I just eat to fill my stomach. The banana seeds we have are vulnerable to diseases, so we use modern seeds," says Aines Karugaba, a resident of Kituri, expressing concern about the potential extinction of traditional seeds.

She added that, “However, the food produced from them doesn’t compare to traditional bananas in flavor. I wonder if we will ever get these original seeds again”.

She adds that even maize, beans, and other grains now come from modern seeds, which are said to be more disease-resistant.

Hadi Joseph, a resident of Mara, explains that the lack of food derived from indigenous seeds has weakened their health.

"Traditional foods are seen as outdated, so people are turning to modern chicken, modern bananas, but these are not as healthy as foods from indigenous seeds, which are now becoming scarce," he says.

He observes that indigenous seeds for crops like bananas, maize, beans, groundnuts, and cashews are gradually disappearing as days go by.

Why Indigenous Seeds Are Declining and Why It Matters

Speaking at the World Food Day celebration on October 16, 2024, in Kagera Region, organized by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Chief Agriculture Officer of the Ministry of Agriculture, Magreth Natai, emphasized the importance of foods from indigenous seeds due to their adaptability to the local environment.

"Traditional foods are rich in nutrients, but the challenge is that these foods are nearing extinction. We have forgotten them, which is why we are encouraging farmers to preserve these seeds, and we are working with partners to ensure they do not disappear," she says.

According to FAO, traditional seeds are rich in nutrients compared to modern seeds, which often require enhanced nutrient fortification by experts.

Dr Mujini Kabululu, Head of the Plant Gene Conservation Unit at the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA), highlights that technological advancements bring both benefits and challenges.

"Technology has helped us increase our production capacity, but it has also led to the loss of our traditional crops and plant varieties. This is a trend not only in Tanzania but globally," he says.

Dr Kabululu notes that as more productive seeds are promoted, communities abandon the seeds they have used for a long time, resulting in their disappearance.

"Climate change has also made it difficult for some organisms to survive, leading to their extinction. Expanding cities and farms reduces plant biodiversity," he adds.

To address the loss of indigenous seeds, Dr Kabululu explains that the government established a unit to collect and preserve native plant species for future use.

"We have been collecting traditional plants since 1991, storing them in a national seed bank that can preserve various plant types for over 100 years," he says.

Efforts to Preserve Traditional Seeds and Sustainable Agriculture

FAO Agriculture Officer Deomedes Kalisa explains that their projects focus on four key areas, including promoting quality agricultural production, nutrition, and better livelihoods.

"We are aware of existing challenges, such as climate change, diseases, and pests that reduce farmers' productivity. FAO’s role is to ensure the production of nutritious food while promoting sustainable land use," he says.

He adds that FAO, in collaboration with international organizations, provides farmers with education on how to preserve traditional seeds and practice sustainable farming.

Despite climate change leading to irregular rainfall, the emergence of pests, and crop diseases, Kalisa emphasizes the importance of food security at both household and national levels, noting that FAO continues to educate communities on climate change resilience.

Oresus Kinyero, an entrepreneur focused on adding value to organically grown crops in Mtwara, points out that traditional seeds are increasingly rare in communities due to climate change.

"Very few people still have traditional seeds, but there are institutions promoting traditional seed use. The scarcity of indigenous seeds is mainly because people switched to modern seeds for higher yields," he explains.

Food Security Measures

Wilbroad Karugaba from the World Food Programme (WFP) shares that WFP, in partnership with the government and other stakeholders, is implementing programs to equip farmers with best agricultural practices to address climate change.

"We have prepared specialized guides to provide farmers with practical education on combating diseases and pests in crops like sorghum, sunflower, beans, and vegetables. We have reached over 200,000 farmers across various regions," he states.

Addressing Pesticide Use and Food Safety

Leticia Ishengoma, a Policy Specialist at the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), advises on the proper use of pesticides to prevent crop contamination, especially in the context of climate change impacts.

"I visited a market and found that almost all tomatoes had been sprayed with pesticides, yet they were being sold immediately after harvesting. There is a recommended waiting period before consumption, but people buy and eat them right away," she says.

Beyond pesticide use, Ishengoma highlights the need for proper crop storage to avoid aflatoxins, which pose serious health risks.

She concludes by stressing the need for a national campaign to raise awareness on food safety.