CROPS4HD in Tanzania
Tanzania represents an African lower middle-income country with emerging agroecological markets and the successful reintroduction of traditional crops.
Context
Tanzania represents an African lower middle-income country with emerging agroecological markets and the successful reintroduction of traditional crops (by the World Vegetable Center). At the demand side, the project integrates neglected and unterutilized species (NUS) in the established and growing organic market in urban centers. In order to enforce sourcing along value chains towards diverse and healthier food baskets CROPS4HD further works toward developing marketing strategies, including e-ordering and home delivery services. In parallel, CROPS4HD targets rural markets and schools to increase their assortment of higher agro-biodiversity.
In Tanzania, the project region for the supply activities is in the southern part of Tanzania with a focus on Lindi and Mtwara regions. Lindi and Mtwara are two of the least populated regions in Tanzania mainland and among the poorest regions. The main source of income for Lindi and Mtwara residents is from agriculture (cashew nut and sesame) mostly small-scale. There is severe scarcity of drinking water with only one rainy season a year that falls between December and April.
AFSA establishes links to eastern African policy and farmers’ movements, and case studies from Tanzania will serve as examples to advocate for policy changes in this sub-region.
Key Outcomes
- Share of consumers having increased diversity in consumption/frequency of NUS in weekly diet at household level is increased by 20%.
- Barriers to access markets for NUS are lowered in four out of six food systems and NUS volume in markets increased.
- Share of peasants with access to NUS seeds is increased by 30%.
- 12 crops (NUS crops, non‐NUS crops and NUS varieties) are newly cultivated at farm level.
- Volume of NUS leaving farm gate is increased by 10%.
- Incomes of 8’000 peasants are increased.
- Food security of 8’000 peasants is improved.
- Climate resilience of 6’000 peasants is improved.
- Effectiveness of sub‐national policies and legal frameworks in A+FS for small holder farmers is increased.
- 100 key policy makers and shapers are contacted.
Recent News
East African Community (EAC): civil society criticizes 2025 Seed and Plant Varieties Bill
In June 2025, a new EAC Seed and Plant Varieties Bill has been tabled in East African Legislative Assembly (EALA). An earlier draft Bill from 2018 had stalled after facing heavy opposition from civil society.
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Workshop: Creating Space for Farmers’ Seeds in Seed Regulations
SWISSAID and its partner TABIO organized a workshop in Dar es Salaam from 28–30 July to explore ways to create space for farmers’ seeds within Tanzania’s seed regulations.
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Success story: Poultry production of the Shangushangu Group (Tanzania)
Read about the Shangushangu Group and their success in poultry production, including success in terms of management, income generation and mindset transformation of fellow villagers on agroecological production approaches.
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