Tanzania launches agroecology project to restore soil and indigenous seeds

TUSHIRIKI launched an agroecology project in Tembela Ward, Mbeya District, to encourage farmers in Tanzania's Southern Highlands Zone to adopt traditional farming methods.

The initiative, funded by the Agroecology Fund, aims to move producers away from industrial chemicals toward natural inputs to protect soil health and improve food security. Mbeya District Executive Director Erica Yegella urged farmers to prioritize indigenous seeds and natural fertilizers like compost.

She noted that industrial chemicals can degrade the land, while traditional methods produce safer crops with guaranteed markets. Yegella expressed a desire to see the return of old practices, such as using decomposed maize leaves as manure, to ensure the long-term productivity of the region. Jansi Sinkamba, the director of TUSHIRIKI, stated that the project will run for one year and involve 3,000 farmers in the pilot area.

The program focuses on crops such as cabbage, potatoes, moringa, carrots, and maize. Experts involved in the project suggest that agroecology can address global food shortages by restoring soil health and reducing the need to clear new land for cultivation. Local residents in Simambwe Village reported that the project comes as they face declining rainfall and hotter weather.

While some farmers previously felt they needed chemical fertilizers to harvest anything, they now hope the project will help them regain economic independence and improve community health. The success of the initiative depends on whether farmers can turn the training into permanent routines on their plots.