Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
IN a bid to build resilient rural livelihoods, while adapting to climate change, villagers from Chimanimani have established a traditional grains seed bank which is expected to benefit the province.
The initiative, supported by Towards Sustainable Use of Resources Organisation (TSURO) Trust’s nature positive food systems for climate change adaptation project, aims to promote sustainable food systems and conserve biodiversity.
This culminated in a seed fair in which villagers from seven villages in the district, showcased different traditional grains at Bumba Primary School last Friday.
The project was funded by Global Affairs Canada through the Canadian Food Grains Bank for three years to foster nature-positive food systems for enhanced climate change adaptation.
In an interview on the sidelines of the seed fair, the project manager, Mrs Roselyn Mukonoweshuro, said farmers are being taught natural farming methods like nature-based solutions.
“Our project aims at promoting nature-positive food systems and conserve biodiversity. We are working with communities to establish traditional grains seed banks and promote agro-ecology practices that involve key thematic areas of focus – holistic land and livestock management, community-based seed systems, timber and non-timber forest products, bio-stimulant production, agro-ecology, climate change and watershed management systems,” she said.
Mrs Mukonoweshuro said the intervention is expected to create avenues for communities to contribute towards Sustainable Development Goals, particularly poverty eradication through ensuring thriving lives and livelihoods.
“We are striving for zero hunger through ensuring sustainable food security and establishment of a long term food and nutrition security, and we anticipate to take good care of our biodiversity, while promoting good health and well-being in the targeted communities. This will resultantly contribute towards gender equity as well as improving access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene facilities,” she said.
Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development, Agricultural extension supervisor for the area, Mr Steven Mutungwe applauded TSURO Trust for complementing Government’s efforts to eradicate poverty and ensure food security for the rural people.
“The programme aligns with Government’s goals of promoting sustainable agriculture and climate change adaptation. We are seeing positive impacts on rural livelihoods and community development in this area, and we commend that. Government is currently working to support smallholder farmers and promote sustainable agriculture practices, and the seed fair and seed bank are critical components initiatives,” he said.
Mrs Florence Nyanda (62), of Mhizha Village said the initiative is helping them preserve their traditional crops and adapt to climate change.
“We are now able to share our knowledge and seeds with other communities, and recently we had an exchange programme where TSURO Trust took us to the National Gene Bank of Zimbabwe where millions of seeds are stored. We were taught how to preserve and store our seeds. The seed bank is a starter pack for the farmers,” she said.
Mrs Nyanda said traditional grains are more resilient to climate change, and require fewer inputs, making their preservation crucial to rural livelihoods.
“We are witnessing improved yields and better nutrition for our families since we started farming sorghum and cow peas in this area. We also produce round and groundnuts,” she said.
A seed farmer from Nezandonyi village under Chief Mutambara, Mr Cephas Chinawa echoed Mrs Nyanda’s sentiments, saying that the seed fair was a game-changer as they had new techniques and exchanged seeds with other farmers.
“We had an opportunity to share seeds with other farmers. By planting the right seeds, which do not have additives and are not expensive, our crops become more resilient, improving yields in the process,” he said.
Headman Nezandonyi said the initiative has brought the community together in preserving their traditional grains.
