Spren Mutiwi
Correspondent
FARMERS in Rusitu Valley have started rebuilding their community seed bank which was destroyed by the Cyclone Idai-induced floods which left a trail of destruction in Chimanimani District in 2019.
With the scars of Cyclone Idai permanently visible throughout Chimanimani District, the Rusitu Valley community is determined to put the past behind them, and forge a new future that is aimed at restoring the local community seed bank sovereignty.
The process has been made easy and possible by a local community-based organisation, TSURO Trust and Department of Agritex, through ward, district and provincial seed fairs, platforms which strengthen the capacity of farmers to establish seed sovereignty.
The seed fairs are aimed at building resilient rural livelihoods, and adaptation to climate change. They are also a huge step towards farmers’ preparedness for the 2024-2025 summer cropping season.
In an interview on the sidelines of the Rusitu Valley Seed Fair cluster held at Kopa Business Centre recently, villagers said the Cyclone Idai-induced floods destroyed the Rusitu Valley seed bank, and it is now back to the drawing board for the community.
“When Cyclone Idai struck, not only did the floods destroy our farming fields, but our local seed bank which we had built over the years. Through the seed fairs, we have started the process of rebuilding the seed bank, and this will take some time for us to be fully resourced, and to attain the status which we had achieved as a community in terms of seed sovereignty,” noted Mrs Chenai Chagwiza, a farmer in Ward 21.
Another farmer, Mrs Stabile Mashava from Mukondomi Village also echoed similar sentiments, and said they are making a lot of progress in rebuilding their seed bank.
“We are making strides together with development partners and Government to build the community seed bank through different seed fairs. The gatherings are a golden opportunity to share and exchange seeds.
“Building a seed bank is a process which takes time, but we are grateful that one step at a time, we are moving slowly in rebuilding the destroyed seed bank,” she said.
Ward 21 councillor, Councillor Kefas Dhlumo said it will take time for the community to attain seed sovereignty, indicating that the process was reignited by the collaborative and stakeholder approach driven by Towards Sustainable Utilisation of Resources Organisation (TSURO) courtesy of the SKI-funded project.
“Prior to Cyclone Idai, the community had built a resilient seed bank, adaptive to climate change, but Cyclone Idai reversed every progressive development. We are emphasising on traditional crops, and our farmers are actively participating in putting together the broken pieces.
“We are spearheading the implementation of conservation agriculture as we prepare for the summer cropping season, and we want to appreciate the work being done by Government and development partners in ensuring that food security and nutrition is realised in the greater Rusitu Valley area,” said Councillor Dhlumo.
Ward 21 Agriculture Extension Officer, Mr Charles Mugocherwa commended the farmers’ commitment and dedication in rising above the devastating effects of Cyclone Idai in many areas including seed sovereignty.
“Our farmers were assisted through the National Gene Bank in rebuilding the seed bank and sovereignty. It has been a rough terrain for the Rusitu Valley community, but what inspires us most is their resilience and dedication in burying the past, and writing a new narrative.
“With increased seed fairs intervention being rolled out, it is a positive step in slowly rebuilding the seed bank, and boost farmers’ preparedness ahead of the 2024-2025 summer cropping season,” said Mr Mugocherwa.
Under the Seed and Knowledge Initiative (SKI) project being implemented by TSURO Trust in Chimanimani District, it is envisaged that the project will strengthen food security and seed sovereignty.
The project also focuses on improving food sovereignty through resilient farmer-led seed systems and more biodiverse and multifunctional landscapes.
