DAR ES SALAAM, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian authorities said on Thursday plans are underway to create a bank for traditional seeds in a move aimed at promoting indigenous farming in the east African nation.
Deputy Minister for Agriculture Hussein Bashe said the creation of the traditional seeds bank will be done in tandem with the establishment of a department that will specifically deal with organic farming.
Bashe revealed the plans when he opened the second National Ecological Organic Agriculture Conference organized by the Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement in the Indian coastal region of Mtwara.
He said the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute will be tasked to research and produce traditional seeds with a view to conserving seed varieties for organic farming.
The Ministry of Agriculture will set aside funds in the 2022/2023 financial year for the establishment of the department of organic farming that will be mandated to support the development of indigenous agriculture in Tanzania, Bashe said. Enditem
