PUBLIC officials at all levels need to help communities embrace organic farming in the country, as several health problems facing Tanzanians can be solved just by taking properly grown harvests.

Former Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda made this appeal at a high-level traditional food gala’ held here on Monday night, organized by Islands of Peace, abbreviated IDP from its French original Iles de Paix, founded by a Nobel-winning Belgian monk in 1966. It is mainly operating from its US branch, as an NGO specialized in supporting local development.

He stated that while there are many stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working on ecological agriculture, their efforts are not pooled together as they do not know one another, where they operate and what they do.

The event was anchored on the theme of improving nature through local and traditional food,” bringing together participants from government agencies, the private sector, organic farming associations and others.

“Leaders have a great role to play in ensuring the promotion of organic farming, improved food production and food security in the country,” he said, underlining the need for local government authorities to coordinate concerned agencies to facilitate these efforts.

He expressed disappointment that most government policies on such matters are not implemented at the grassroots level as public officials who are closer to the people do not engage themselves on such issues.         

Stakeholders working on improved agriculture techniques like organic farming among others need to work closely with community or religious leaders, who also need to raise the matter in faith meetings, the former premier asserted. 

He applauded religious leaders engaged in teaching followers simple and proper ways of making vegetable farms, exclaiming that this is also a religious vocation to save Tanzanians.

Noting that he is engaged in sustainable agriculture in his 70 hectares of land in the region, he insisted that headteachers need to be equipped with the knowledge to transfer it to pupils.

‘Through such efforts cases of malnutrition and stunting among Tanzanian children will be reduced and we succeed in having a healthy population,” he emphasised, applauding IDP for convening the event as it helped remind participants of the importance of traditional foods.

David Silinde, the Agriculture deputy minister, had earlier noted that the government is committed to work with organic farming stakeholders in steering wider public knowledge of such activity.

Funds have been set aside to help promote organic farming, with the provision of subsidies to companies that produce organic farming inputs expected to start soon, he said.

“Agriculture comes third in contribution to GDP after mining and tourism,” he stated, underlining that improving agriculture is a vital component of the government agenda.

Ayesiga Buberwa, the IDP country director, said the Belgian non-governmental organisation organized the gala to remind stakeholders on ecological farming as a vital way to enhance the food system.

Emphasizing the significance of continuous learning in addressing food security concerns and improving health, she said that traditional foods are an immediate solution to a range of health problems and also help to promote Tanzanian culture.