Following an invitation from the Kongwa District Government, Nature Tanzania participated in the Nanenane Agricultural International Expo, 2024, with the theme of “Embrace Visionary Leadership for Agricultural Transformation” and raised awareness about the role of birds in food production and threats they face from intensive use of chemical pesticides and fertilisers and alternatives.
Kongwa District Council invited Nature Tanzania to participate in the Nanenane Agricultural International Expo, 2024 (Nanenane Exhibitions), which was held in Dodoma from 1 August to 11 August 2024 at the Nzuguni Nanenane Ground, the capital city of Tanzania. The 2024 Nanenane Exhibition is an annual event commemorating Farmers’ Day, celebrating achievements in agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sectors. It features displays and demonstrations from various sectors related to Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, including innovations, technologies, and practices to improve productivity and sustainability. The 2024 theme focussed on enhancing international visibility, promoting economic growth, and fostering global partnerships. The exhibition attracted more than 500 exhibitors from different countries and more than 15,000 participants.
Understanding the role and impact of agriculture in nature conservation, including birds, Nature Tanzania participated in this platform to communicate the role and impacts of agriculture in bird conservation. It raised awareness of Nature Tanzania’s activities addressing the Illegal Killing of Birds (IKB). For example, carbofuran, one of the agrochemicals, is widely used in killing birds in Central Tanzania, posing negative impacts on the soil biodiversity, ecosystems including wetlands, and most importantly, to people who eat birds killed by the poison. Therefore, during the event, we shared the IKB project and its impacts on environmental protection and general bird conservation. We also showcased products from communities (honey) to increase market networking.
The event provided an excellent platform for showcasing our work and engaging with stakeholders and communities on conservation initiatives. The event’s outcome includes increased awareness about the importance of birds in agriculture and the ecosystem, enhanced collaboration and partnership with stakeholders from government and private sectors, and Advocacy for policies that support bird conservation and sustainable agriculture. More than 2,000 people, including 250 students, are estimated to have been reached during the exhibition event.
