In May 2026, ASPIRES Tanzania, in collaboration with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), coordinated and facilitated a series of high-level visits to leading seed farms and seed sector institutions in Arusha with the New Zealand Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Nick Meehan. The visits formed part of a broader effort to strengthen international partnerships, showcase Tanzania’s rapidly evolving seed industry, and explore opportunities for increased trade, investment, and technical collaboration between Tanzania and New Zealand.
The seed sector sits at the heart of Tanzania’s agricultural transformation. Every productive harvest begins with quality seed, making improved seed one of the most powerful technologies available to farmers. High-quality, climate-resilient seed varieties can significantly increase yields, improve resistance to pests and diseases, enhance resilience to climate change, and raise farmers’ incomes. Yet despite agriculture employing the majority of Tanzanians and contributing substantially to the country’s economy, the adoption of improved seed remains relatively low, limiting productivity and the country’s ability to fully realize its agricultural potential. The Tanzania Seed Sector Development Strategy notes that only about one-third of farmers currently use improved seed, underscoring the need for greater investment across the seed value chain.
The visits also reinforced the importance of public-private partnerships in building a vibrant seed system. By bringing together government, development partners, research institutions, and private sector actors, Tanzania is laying the foundation for a more competitive and resilient seed industry capable of meeting the needs of farmers across diverse agroecological zones. Such partnerships are central to the Tanzania Seed Sector Development Strategy, which envisions a sustainable, efficient, and inclusive seed system that increases the availability, accessibility, and utilization of improved seed nationwide.
ASPIRES and IWMI are proud to have supported the Ministry of Agriculture in advancing this important agenda. Through facilitating strategic dialogue, evidence-based policy development, and international engagement, the two organizations continue to contribute to a future where improved seed drives higher productivity, stronger food security, climate resilience, and greater prosperity for farming communities across Tanzania.
