March 2026, DODOMA, TANZANIA: In a milestone achievement for gender-responsive agriculture, the Tanzania Gender Networking Programme (TGNP) was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation at the 4th National Ecological Organic Agriculture Conference (NEOAC), held from March 3rd to 5th, 2026.
The prestigious award, presented by the Dodoma Regional Commissioner, Ms. Rosemary Senyamule during the Gala Dinner, recognizes TGNP’s excellence in designing and implementing programs that empower women, youth, and marginalized groups to participate equitably in the Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) value chain.
Photo credit: Dodoma Regional Commissioner, Ms. Rosemary Senyamule, presents a Certificate of Appreciation to TGNP’s RWCC Coordinator, Ms. Catherine Kasimbazi, during the 4th NEOAC Gala Dinner. The award honors TGNP’s commitment to gender-responsive agroecology and women’s empowerment.
Rural Women at the Heart of the Conference
Under the Rural Women Cultivating Change (RWCC) project, supported by Global Affairs Canada through SeedChange, and implemented in partnership with PELUM Tanzania, TGNP facilitated the participation of five lead farmers from Manyara, Kilimanjaro, and Morogoro. These women didn’t just attend; they led. They transformed their exhibition space into a “living seed bank,” showcasing a diverse collection of indigenous organic seeds. These seeds are more than just agricultural inputs; they are the backbone of community resilience and a testament to generations of preserved local knowledge.
For these rural women, attending the 4th NEOAC was a transformative opportunity to move from the periphery of the agricultural value chain to the center of national policy discourse. By participating in this high-level forum, the farmers were able to validate their grassroots expertise against scientific research and engage directly with government officials, such as the Deputy Minister of Agriculture. This exchange was critical for building their confidence as “knowledge holders” and ensuring that the specific challenges faced by rural women—such as seed sovereignty and climate adaptation—are prioritized in the national agroecology agenda. Their presence served as a living reminder that sustainable food systems cannot be built without the leadership of the women who feed the nation.
From Policy to Practice: The Bihawana Field Immersion
The 4th NEOAC garnered high-level government attention, signaling a shift in national priority toward sustainable farming. The conference was officially opened by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Hon. David E. Silinde, whose presence set a collaborative tone for the sessions. However, the most significant “eye-opening” moments occurred on the final day, when the dialogue moved from the conference halls directly into the soil of Bihawana.
As the agricultural heart of the Dodoma region and home to the renowned Bihawana Farmers Training Centre, this site served as a “living laboratory” for the conference’s Day 3 field immersion. It acted as a critical bridge between policy theory and practical application. Here, the RWCC team and rural women farmers witnessed firsthand the innovative agroecological technologies—including natural pest control and advanced soil regeneration techniques—that are essential for building climate resilience in Tanzania.
The significance of the Bihawana visit was further elevated when the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Prof. Peter Msoffe, joined the farmers in the field. His presence underscored a vital government commitment: the scaling of grassroots innovations for both domestic and international markets. This high-level endorsement serves as a powerful validation of the rural women farmers who are not just participating in this transition but leading it.
Research that Transforms: Influencing Policy through Evidence
Beyond the exhibitions, the RWCC team took a leading role in the conference’s policy discourse. During a strategic side workshop focused on policy implementation, the team presented a seminal paper titled: “Gender-Transformative Agroecology: Empowering Rural Women for Sustainable Food Systems—A Case Study of the RWCC Project in Tanzania.”
The presentation underscored a vital truth that sits at the heart of our mission: When we empower rural women through agroecological practices, we don’t just fix a farm—we transform a community.
A primary takeaway from the session was a clear call to action for advocates and researchers alike. To truly influence national policy, we must build a “mountain of comprehensive empirical evidence” that showcases exactly how agroecology delivers results on the ground. By documenting these successes, we provide the government with the necessary data to transition from dialogue to large-scale policy support.
Voices from the Field: Farmer Experiences
The true impact of the conference was best expressed by the farmers themselves, who shared how the transition to agroecology is reshaping their livelihoods and leadership.
“I thank God for the opportunity to attend this national conference. It was a blessing to see how our organizations, TGNP and PELUM Tanzania, helped us reach a point where the government recognizes that ecological organic agriculture is key to national food security. I am particularly grateful to the Dodoma Regional Commissioner for the promise of 100 acres for youth to learn these practices. At Bihawana, I learned vital technologies for making natural pesticides and using plants to fertilize the soil. I have so much to take back to the Mamire Knowledge Centre to teach my fellow farmers.” — Clara Malle, Lead Farmer Knowledge Centres Coordinator in Manyara.
evidence” for the RWCC research paper, demonstrating why women’s leadership in sustainable farming is essential for community resilience.
“Participating in this conference has been incredibly beneficial. I’ve seen firsthand that the government is now at the forefront of supporting farmers in practicing agroecology. As a leader and a farmer, I will organize sessions to educate my group on everything I’ve learned—especially the importance of involving the whole family in agricultural decision-making, and how agroecology ensures a healthy, food-secure society for our children.” — Felister Msemo, KC Vumari (Same, Kilimanjaro)
“I want to express my deepest gratitude for this opportunity. I gained immense ‘classroom’ knowledge about agroecology, but I also had the chance to exchange and even sell organic seeds. Moving forward, I am going to improve my community seed bank and I have a new plan to start producing pumpkin seed flour. I can’t wait to share this feedback with my fellow members.” — Joyce Elias, Member, Mamire Knowledge Centre (Manyara)
The 4th NEOAC Roadmap: 3 Pillars of Action
The conference concluded with a number of action points to transition Tanzania toward a sustainable food system. These are just some of the key action points from the conference.
1. Evidence & Innovation
- A Research-First Approach: Establishing a national EOA research agenda to quantify the economic benefits of organic farming.
- Labor-Saving Tech: Prioritizing the development of technologies that reduce the physical intensity of farming—a critical move for women and youth.
- Data for Policy: Building a “mountain of empirical evidence” to prove that agroecology works on the ground, providing a clear map for government intervention.
2. Knowledge & Capacity
- Grassroots Empowerment: Training farmers, extension officers, and youth to lead EOA initiatives in their own communities.
- Information Hubs: Improving the collection and sharing of EOA knowledge so that even the most remote smallholder farmers have access to the latest technologies.
- Media Advocacy: Partnering with media houses to raise national awareness and change the conversation around food systems.
3. Institutional & Policy Reform
- Government Integration: Establishing a dedicated EOA section within the Ministry of Agriculture and securing a specific national budget for organic strategies.
- Future-Proofing Education: Incorporating agroecology into the national school curriculum—starting from primary school—to train the next generation of sustainable farmers.
About the 4th NEOAC
The 4th National Ecological Organic Agriculture Conference (NEOAC) serves as Tanzania’s premier platform for accelerating the transition from high-level dialogue to concrete field action. Under the theme “Agroecology for Sustainable Food Systems: Enhancing Food and Nutrition Security, Resilience, and Economic Stability,” the 2026 conference convened a diverse spectrum of stakeholders—including government officials, farming communities, CSOs, researchers, and the private sector.
The conference was designed to evaluate the progress of previous national commitments while exploring new policy measures and investment opportunities to scale adoption among smallholder farmers. Through a strategic mix of plenary sessions, technical breakouts, farmer exhibitions, and field visits, the 4th NEOAC aimed to:
- Strengthen Coordination: Harmonizing efforts between government and civil society.
- Catalyze Knowledge: Sharing proven Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) practices to improve soil health and biodiversity.
- Empower Livelihoods: Securing seed sovereignty and climate resilience for rural communities.
The 4th NEOAC was organized by the Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement (TOAM) in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture. TGNP and PELUM Tanzania played a critical role in the success of the event, serving on the National Steering Committee to ensure that gender-transformative approaches remained at the heart of the national agroecological agenda.
