Breeding climate resilience into Tanzanian farming practices

 I've had a fascinating morning hearing from Rijk Zwaan, the fourth largest vegetable seed company in the world about their research on new vegetable varieties in Tanzania and how they are building strong relationships across the supply chain with growers and retailers.

They are working in collaboration with farmers to develop new vegetable varieties which are resilient to climate pressures, as well as responding to demographic shifts such as increasing demand for smaller vegetables and changing consumer tastes.

By 2050, the African population is projected to grow by 50%, therefore demand for food supply will increase, especially in urban areas.

Rijk Zwaan is creating plant varieties that are resistant/tolerant and produce more yield/require lower inputs and produce a higher Income. Improved varieties = better market for imports and exports.

Huge successes have been recorded around increasing shelf life of plants, e.g. habaneros which can stay fresh for three weeks instead of 5-7 days. Tomatoes being bred with tougher skin so less bruising in transport and less rejections by buyers/food waste etc.

There is a huge focus at Rijk Zwaan on training growers via online courses and materials to ensure they understand new varieties and changes in market/consumer demand, but it works both ways with regular feedback from farmers to Rjik Zwaan about what they need from new varieties to suit their needs.

Globally, Rijk Zwaan are working with 25 crops and 1600+ varieties and turning over €600m+ with 40% going back into research.