In 2006, Tanzania’s government demolished 7,351 houses in Kurasini to expand Dar Es Salaam port, leaving about 36,000 people homeless. In response, the community swung into action, securing 30 acres of land for resettlement and collecting about 24 million Tanzanian shillings (US$ 24,000) from 300 of its members to buy the land.

Trained Federation women doing construction work

The project also improved access to water and sanitation – as well as a borehole and solar powered water pump, sewage is now treated using a constructed wetland with recyclable water technology. A major win for the project was that it identified potential financial sources for the urban poor, who often cannot access finance from formal institutions.

All of this was achieved through the setting up of the Chamazi Community Based Housing Scheme known as Muungano Housing Cooperatives, and the Tanzanian Urban Poor Fund. Together they raised a US$ 100,000 loan from Slum Dwellers International (SDI), US$ 40,000 from UK-based organization Homeless International (Reall) for water and sanitation and the solar pump for the community borehole from Temeke Municipal Council.

Street scene

CCI trained the community in construction skills, enabling construction materials to be fabricated on-site by community members, who also helped build the houses. Other partners contributed expertise and professional advice on surveying and acquiring land, developing building plans and designing the houses. To date, 75 new homes have been provided.

House-owner Rose Liheta seated in front of her house talking to her Neighbor.

“Considering the rapid urbanization in Africa and across the globe, plus the growth of urban informal settlements, this would be a highly relevant initiative to replicate for sustainable use of land and to fulfil the right to decent housing for all.”

– Agnes Midi Keita

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Uhuru wa Mbegu za Wakulima captures the testimonies of farmers whose customary rights to save, share and exchange seeds, are threatened by seed laws designed to replace traditional varieties with commercial hybrids and handover control to the global seed companies. The 28-minute film follows a local seed producer, Mathias Mtwale, as he meets with farmers, researchers, seed suppliers, regulators, and legislators to understand the issues, and to make the case for a fair deal for the farmers.

“We have met different stakeholders in the seed system, especially farmers, to see how policies and laws marginalise them, while empowering large companies and those with economic power to own the system of seeds production,” says Mr. Mtwale.

The film exposes the reality of the seed system in Tanzania. Farmers in Morogoro, Dodoma and Lushoto tell their inspiring stories of traditional seeds passed down through generations. Researchers explain why the commercial seed system of imported hybrids is not meeting farmers’ needs. Farmers’ organisations clarify how the new legal framework means disaster for the rich agricultural biodiversity nurtured by the nation’s smallholder farmers.

“These seeds are our inheritance, and we will pass them on to our children and grandchildren. These too are quality seed and a pride for Tanzania. But the law does not protect these seeds.” emphasises Janet Maro, director of Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT).

Joseph Hella, a Professor from SUA, also insists, “Any effort to improve farming in Tanzania depends primarily on how we can improve farmers’ own indigenous seeds.”

The film, which has been produced by award winning Swedish film director, Lars Johansson and Tanzanian veteran filmmaker, Suleiman Kissoky, goes on general release today, Wednesday 10^th August. The film was produced with the support of the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung with funds from German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Additional Resources:

For more information and interviews, please, contact:

• Abdallah Mkindi, TABIO Coordinator, [email protected], +255 784 311 179
• Anatory Gabriel, TOAM Information & Communications, [email protected] +255 768 909 055

Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement is the national umbrella organization for the organic sector in the country. www.kilimohai.org

Tanzania Alliance for Biodiversity is an alliance of civil society and private sector organizations concerned with the conservation of agricultural biodiversity for livelihood security and food sovereignty. www.tabio.org

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