Overview

Name: Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement (TOAM)
Type: Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)
Founded: 2005
Headquarters: Skyways Building, Ohio/Sokoine Drive, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Email: toam@kilimohai.org

Phone: +255 754 443536 / +255 222 771374

TOAM is a national umbrella organization that promotes, coordinates, and supports the development of organic agriculture in Tanzania. It brings together farmers, NGOs, researchers, businesses, and consumers working in the organic and agroecology sectors.

Vision and Mission

Vision:
A vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive organic agriculture sector that contributes to improved livelihoods, health, and environmental protection.

Mission:
To coordinate and promote the growth of organic agriculture through advocacy, training, research, quality assurance, and market development.

Core Functions

Capacity Building: Provides training on organic farming techniques, soil health management, pest control, and certification requirements.

Quality Management: Ensures compliance with organic standards and assists farmers in obtaining certification.

Market Development: Strengthens value chains by linking producers with buyers and promoting organic products locally and internationally.

Advocacy: Engages government and stakeholders to shape favorable policies and increase institutional support for organic agriculture.

Knowledge Sharing: Collects, manages, and distributes information about organic farming and sustainability practices.

Structure and Membership

TOAM has over 100 members, including farmer associations, NGOs, academic institutions, and organic companies.
It is affiliated with regional and international networks, such as the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), and implements the East Africa Organic Products Standard (EAOPS).

The organization coordinates the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) in Tanzania — a peer-based organic certification model that enables smallholder farmers to access certification more affordably.

Key Programs and Initiatives

Participatory Guarantee System (PGS): Certifies smallholder farmers under the “Kilimo Hai” organic label, promoting transparency and accountability in local certification.

Farmer-Managed Seed Systems: Supports local seed conservation and policy development to protect farmer rights and biodiversity.

Policy and Standards Development: Works with national and regional partners to strengthen organic standards and facilitate trade across East Africa.

Education and Awareness: Participates in agricultural exhibitions like Nane Nane to promote organic practices and products.

Partnership Projects: Collaborates with local and international partners to promote organic value chains, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods.

Achievements

Established the “Kilimo Hai” certification mark for organic products.

Trained thousands of farmers across Tanzania in organic farming and agroecology.

Increased the number of certified organic farmers and farms under EAOPS standards.

Strengthened market linkages for organic products, allowing farmers to access premium prices.

Contributed to policy discussions on sustainable agriculture and organic regulation.

Challenges

Limited access to affordable organic inputs like compost and biopesticides.

Inadequate research and extension services supporting organic practices.

Market barriers such as low consumer awareness and logistical challenges.

Financial and resource constraints for expanding outreach and certification systems.

Maintaining integrity and trust in peer-based certification processes.

Leadership

Chief Executive Officer: Bakari Mongo

Communications and Information Manager: Anatory Gabriel Nyanda