Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
MORE than 140 Chimanimani farmers are today exhibiting traditional seed varieties and climate-smart farming innovations at Bumba Business Centre in a drive to boost food security and climate resilience.
The landscape-level seed and food festival, organised under the Nature Plus Project being implemented by Towards Sustainable Use of Resources Organisation (Tsuro Trust), with support from the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, has brought together farmers who are showcasing indigenous crops, exchanging seed varieties and sharing knowledge on sustainable farming methods.
Tsuro Trust acting programmes manager, Mrs Roselyn Mukonoweshuro said the growing participation reflected increasing appreciation of traditional seed systems.
“We are encouraging farmers to preserve and grow traditional seeds because they are more resilient to climate change. These seeds are helping communities improve food security while protecting biodiversity and local knowledge,” said Mrs Mukonoweshuro, adding that the project was promoting conservation agriculture, agroecology and ecosystem restoration in areas affected by climate change and past disasters such as Cyclone Idai.
Canadian Foodgrains Bank Regional Coordinator, Mr Solomon Mwacheza said the turnout demonstrated the success of efforts to strengthen farmer-led seed systems.
“We are excited to see 140 farmers exhibiting today. Many now have enough seed to plant, exchange and even sell to other farmers. This shows that communities are becoming more self-reliant and food secure,” he said.
Farmer, Mrs Judith Chinawa said communities were also benefiting from water-harvesting swales that retain moisture and reduce soil erosion in their fields.
“These structures are helping us harvest and conserve water that would otherwise be lost during heavy rains. Our soils are becoming more productive and our crops are performing better despite changing weather patterns,” she said, adding that traditional seeds combined with water-harvesting swales were improving crop yields while reducing soil erosion and water loss in their fields.
