Arusha. The governments of the Netherlands and China have expressed a commitment to continue cooperating with Tanzania to enhance and improve the production of indigenous seeds for vegetables and fruits in efforts to enable farmers to engage in more productive agriculture.
Ambassadors of the two countries in Tanzania expressed their commitment during the recent launch of the seed bank for indigenous vegetables and fruits at the World Vegetable Centre, located in Arusha.
The ambassador of the Netherlands to Tanzania, Wiebe De Boer, said that the cooperation between the Netherlands and Tanzania, including through institutions like the World Vegetable Centre, aims to promote the agriculture sector.
He said that besides helping farmers achieve economic independence, it has also encouraged youth to engage in horticultural farming.
Mr Chenhwa Lou, representing the Chinese Embassy, affirmed his country’s commitment to ramping up seed production while pledging ongoing support in financing and facilitating access to technology and education.
The centre’s director for East and Southern Africa Region, Dr Gabriel Rugalema, described the seed bank as a national asset that will be utilised for seed conservation, agricultural research, and education.
“Our dream has come true. We envisioned building a modern centre for seed conservation, and now we have it. This is the only seed bank in Africa that preserves vegetable seeds. It’s a national treasure,” he said.
“We’ll use the centre to store seeds, conduct research, and also to train people. It will attract many scientists worldwide to come here for studies and to observe seed systems,” he added.
The permanent secretary in the ministry of Agriculture, Mr Gerald Mweli, urged researchers and farmers to utilise the centre for learning and using the seeds produced there.
“The seeds are being preserved so that when they are needed, they will be available with the same quality. These are our indigenous seeds. As we continue to invest in agriculture, there have been concerns about losing our seeds. I want to assure you that today the seeds are being preserved with quality, and when needed, they will be available with the same quality,” he said.
He added that one of the major challenges facing the nation and the world is seed preservation, ensuring their quality, nutritional value, and viability.
“However, the centre we are launching today will have the capacity to preserve seeds for over 100 years with quality. So far, we have preserved more than 5,700 varieties, and by the end of this year, we will have preserved over 11,000 varieties,” he noted.
Share this news
This Year's Most Read News Stories
Loud calls for investigation of Zanzibar port, ZSSF & airport
The leader of the ACT Wazalendo, Zitto Kabwe has raised three key issue that he said are hindering the economy of ZanzibarContinue Reading
Tanzania’s opposition party ACT Wazalendo honours veteran politician under new policy
Unguja. Opposition party ACT Wazalendo today officially bids farewell to its former Chairman, Juma Duni Haji, also known as Babu Duni, as part of a new policy designed to honor retired senior leaders at a ceremony held at Kiembesamaki, Zanzibar.
The initiative highlights the party’s commitment to recognizing and supporting individuals who have served with dedication and integrity.
Babu Duni, who stepped down earlier this year, was succeeded by Othman Masoud, now the First Vice President of Zanzibar.
The policy aims to provide ongoing respect and support to retired leaders, ensuring their continued recognition and contribution to the party’s development.
“Recognizing their significant contributions to the development and prosperity of the party, this policy ensures that retired leaders continue to be acknowledged and respected by both the party and the community,” the policy states.
To benefit from this policy, leaders must not have left or been expelled from the party. They must have served the party with honor and dedication. The national leadership committee will determine whether a leader has fulfilled these criteria.
The policy seeks to honor retired leaders, protect their dignity, acknowledge their contributions, leverage their ideas for the party’s growth, and support them to the best of the party’s ability.
In honoring these leaders, the party will provide a vehicle, the type of which will be determined by the national leadership committee. Additionally, they will receive a monthly allowance, with the amount also set by this committee.
Other benefits include health insurance. If a leader does not own a home, the party will cover their rent at a rate decided by the committee.
The leadership committee may also grant special recognition based on the leader’s contributions. Retired leaders will participate in decision-making meetings according to procedures outlined in the party’s constitution.
Depending on the party’s resources at the time, the policy may also apply to retired deputy chairpersons for both the mainland and Zanzibar, the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General for both mainland and Zanzibar, and the party’s Attorney General.
Additionally, leaders, executives, or members with exceptional contributions to the party’s protection, advocacy, and defense may also benefit, as determined by the leadership committee.
Currently, those who are eligible for benefits under this policy include Juma Duni Haji (retired party Chairman) and Zitto Kabwe (retired party leader).Continue Reading
Ankaya Village: Experience active living and wise investment in Zanzibar
Ankaya Village offers more than just a place to live—it’s a lifestyle choice that’s as enriching as it is rewardingContinue Reading
