42 indigenous varieties safeguarded in Iringa

An Iringa-based community seed bank has now catalogued 42 indigenous crop varieties, from finger millet and cowpeas to amaranth and bambara groundnut. Each variety is documented with its local name, agronomic traits, and the elders or households that contributed it. Seeds are stored in clay pots and clearly labelled drawers, and exchanged freely during seasonal fairs. The initiative has become a living library of Tanzania's agricultural heritage and a practical insurance policy against climate shocks.