TOAM’s 4th National Ecological Organic Agriculture Conference (NEOAC): Advancing Organic Agriculture and Strengthening KHEA Partnerships

The Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement (TOAM) has just hosted its 4th National Ecological Organic Agriculture Conference (NEOAC) in close collaboration with The Ministry of Agriculture in Tanzania in a dynamic three days event (3–5 March 2026) that brought together farmers, policy actors, researchers, civil society, and agriculture stakeholders to exchange experiences and chart pathways for scaling ecological organic agriculture across Tanzania and the region. The first two days focused on conference sessions, while the third day featured an experiential learning excursion to the Bihawana Farmers Learning Centre, followed by a gala dinner recognizing key actors in the ecological organic agriculture sector and providing networking opportunities for TOAM members.

The conference was streamed live on YouTube, allowing broader participation:

• 🔴 Day 1 livestream: Youtube Link
• 🔴 Day 2 livestream: Youtube Link

Showcasing KHEA Multipliers at the Exhibition

A key highlight of the event was the exhibition space made available to the KHEA Multipliers trained on the KCOA Project.

KHEA Multipliers were supported to participate in the conference exhibition, giving them a platform to:

• Showcase farmer‑led innovations, organic practices, and indigenous knowledge products,
• Engage directly with conference participants, policy influencers, and extension officers,
• Strengthen visibility for community‑driven ecological agriculture approaches.
• Network and share experience with other delegates including farmers, researchers,policy makers and other value chain actors.
• Learn from other exhibitors, presenters and side events for discussion new practise and technologies.

This exhibition provided an important opportunity for Multipliers to demonstrate how locally adapted ecological practices contribute to resilient farming systems.

Experiential Learning Visit to Bihawana Farmers Learning Centre

Following the formal sessions, participants joined an excursion to the Bihawana Farmers Learning Centre, a leading hub for practical agroecological learning. The visit offered an immersive experience where attendees:

• Observed organic production systems in action,
• Interacted with experienced farmers implementing ecological practices,
• Deepened understanding of soil health management, biodiversity enhancement, and farmer‑led advisory models.

These hands‑on insights complemented the conference discussions, offering real‑world examples of the principles shared during sessions.

Government Support for Demonstration Plots and Awareness Building

 In addition to the National Ecological Organic Agriculture Strategy  launched in November 2023, the government has allocated land at the Bihawana Farmers Learning Centre for EOA stakeholders. This support will be used to:

• Demonstrate the performance of ecological organic agriculture practices,

• Serve as training sites for farmers, researchers, and extension agents,
• Increase awareness of organic agriculture benefits across farming communities.

“The Government of Tanzania, through the Ministry of Agriculture, recognizes the importance of Ecological Organic Agriculture. I encourage stakeholders to frequently visit our offices so we can further discuss collaboration towards the successful implementation of the National Ecological Organic Agriculture Strategy (NEOAS).”— Hon. David Silinde, Deputy Minister of Agriculture

This government collaboration reinforces commitment to scaling organic agriculture and integrating ecological approaches into mainstream development strategies.

Looking Ahead

 TOAM’s 4th NEOAC underscored the importance of multi‑stakeholder collaboration in driving agricultural transformation. By partnering with KHEA to elevate Multipliers’ voices, facilitating learning excursions, and securing strategic support for demonstration sites, the conference marked a meaningful step toward strengthening organic agriculture uptake.

TOAM looks forward to the implementation of the identified call to action, which highlights the urgent need to address critical challenges facing the ecological organic agriculture sector.

The livestreamed sessions ensured that conversations and insights extended beyond the event venue, enabling wider access for stakeholders across the region.

Together, these efforts advance a shared vision of resilient, ecologically grounded food systems that empower farmers and nurture community well‑being.

About the NEOAC, please visit the site for more information; https://kilimohai.org/

Other pictures

By Magino Pamella – KHEA Communications Officer – Biovision Africa Trust and PELUM Uganda