The Global Crop Diversity Trust has assured Tanzania’s Minister for Agriculture, Hon. Daniel Chongolo (MP) of its continued support in strengthening agricultural sector; particularly in the areas of seeds and plant genetic resources for agriculture through capacity building initiatives. 

The discussion took place during the margins of the 18th Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) in Berlin, Germany when Hon. Minister Chongolo met with Dr. Stefan Schmitz, Executive Director for  Global  Crop Diversity Trust.  

During their discussion, Hon. Minister Chongolo extended an invitation to Dr. Schmitz to visit Tanzania in his upcoming trip in August 2026 so that it could serve as opportunity to conjoin with other development partners in the agriculture sector and further explore areas of collaboration, including the application of DNA technologies to improve seed quality and research support for agriculture sector. 

“We support food security for over 700 million people across the East African Community and Southern African Development Community regions. In fact, we support half of African Continent, underscoring the country’s position as a competitive destination for agricultural investment and partnership,” elaborated Mr. Gerald Mweli, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture during the discussion. 

On his part, Dr. Schmitz congratulated Hon. Chongolo on his recent appointment as a Ministry for Agriculture and expressed his mutual appreciation in areas of cooperation that already existed with Tanzania through his organization. He added that when it comes to food security in the global speaking, his organization always promotes “from seed to fork” approach, rather than from farm to fork, because sustainable food systems begin with strong gene banks and high-quality seeds.  

Other members of Tanzania’s delegation included H.E Ambassador Hassan Iddi Mwamweta of the a United Republic of Tanzania to Federal Republic of Germany; Mr. Gungu Mibavu, Director of Marketing and Food Security in the Ministry of Agriculture; Mr. Raymond Mndolwa, Director General of National Irrigation Commission (NIRC); Ms. Irene Mlola, Director General of the Cereals and Other Produce Regulatory Authority (COPRA); Ms. tagie Daisy M., Head of Government Communication Unit in the Ministry of Agriculture; and other Government officials from Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation. 

Tanzania is participating in the 18th Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) in Berlin, German whereby over 60 Ministers for  Agriculture across the global are meeting to discuss global food security, irrigation, water security and the geopolitical dimensions of agriculture.