TOAM in collaboration with other Ecological Organic Agriculture stakeholders, was able to form an agroecology consortium that participated in international farmers’ exhibitions commonly known as nanenane. The exhibitions nationally were taking place in Dodoma and others at the local level in the respective regions. The agroecology consortium was composed of Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement (TOAM), Tanzania Alliance for Biodiversity (TABIO) Iles De Paix (IDP), FLORESTA Tanzania, We effect, Inades Tanzania, SHIWAKUTA, SJS Organic Centre of Excellence, Biosustain, Alliance Generies, Control Union, Mkulima Mbunifu and Safari fertilizers. All the actors brought farmers and technologies that showed how the EOA value chain from the farm to the table has been effectively implemented among partners.
Different visitors including the decision makers from the government and development partners, farmers and consumers were able to visit booths under agroecology consortium and be able to access information and knowledge on the EOA issues. Technologies for soil health management, pests and disease management, water harvesting technologies, farmers managed seeds and other production related aspects were well represented by partners. Furthermore, marketing for EOA products including certification procedures for local through PGS using the kilimohai mark and the international market using the third party certification system were well communicated by TOAM and control union to actors visiting the consortium. Without leaving out the important aspect of policies, TOAM also was creating awareness and popularizing the launched National Ecological Organic Agriculture Strategy by highlighting the six priority objectives that have been identified by the ITF and approved by stakeholders as the main focus in the first year of implementation. To get more information on the 6 prioritized strategic objectives visit this link: https://kilimohai.org/strategic-intervention/
During this successful week, TOAM was also able to participate in a High-level traditional food gala which was organized by Iles De Paix to create awareness of the importance and benefits of local foods to encourage policies that promote and preserve the use of our traditional foods and seeds. The event was honored to have the former Prime Minister Hon. Mizengo Pinda and the Deputy Minister of Agriculture Hon. David Silinde as Guests of Honor who emphasized on the need for coordinated efforts to address nutritional challenges. TOAM extends the sincere gratitude the IDP Tanzania for inviting us and also making it possible to have the high-level officials in this event were traditional foods were consumed.
