Community Seed Banks Empower Farmers and Boost Food Systems in Northern Tanzania
IN the drylands and highlands of northern Tanzania, seeds are far more than planting materials. They are repositories of biodiversity, carriers of indigenous knowledge, and the foundation upon which food security, resilience and sustainable livelihoods are built. For generations, farming communities in Karatu and Arusha districts relied on farmer-managed seed systems that enabled them to conserve, exchange and reproduce seeds adapted to local environmental conditions. However
Community Seed Banks (CSBs) are playing a transformative role in strengthening food systems and farmer resilience in northern Tanzania. Launched in 2017 by Iles de Paix Tanzania through the Kilimo Endelevu Project, this initiative empowers farmers to conserve, multiply, and manage their own seeds, promoting agroecological principles and local knowledge. The project established eight CSBs in Karatu District, expanding to eleven more in 2023, totaling nineteen. These banks serve as community institutions safeguarding local seed diversity and improving access to adapted crop varieties. Farmers have experienced reduced dependence on external markets and increased confidence in responding to climate and economic shocks, fostering greater food sovereignty and agricultural sustainability.
This initiative demonstrates a successful community-led approach to enhancing agricultural resilience and food security by revitalizing traditional seed systems.
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