Online Reporter
A PARTNERSHIP in the Chiredzi District of Zimbabwe is transforming the lives of smallholder farmers through the sustainable multiplication of sorghum and pearl millet early generation seed, more specifically, foundation seeds.
This collaboration, which provides technical support, input packages and market links, is turning traditional grains into a reliable source of income and improved food security for the Nyangambe community.
This collaboration has seen the Nyangambe community grow over 60 hectares of sorghum and pearl millet over two consecutive winter seasons from 2024 to date. The seed multiplication venture has become one of the most profitable and reliable cropping enterprises for Nyangambe farmers, as confirmed by the increasing participating farmers from 2024 crop to the 2025 winter crop.
The seed multiplication initiative aims at driving poverty out of the Nyangambe community, with each participating farmer receiving inputs (200kg basal compound D, 200kg top dressing ammonium nitrate and 5kg of either sorghum or pearl millet) enough to plant one hectare of land. This is to ensure good crop establishment and well-nourished growth that can maximise yields from the seed crop.
Seed security, a priority for the Nyangambe community in Chiredzi District
Every farmer should be able to access healthy seeds that are genetically pure and viable. ICRISAT strives to make sure that seed with high seed vigour and good germination percentage is multiplied by farmers. Timely availability of good-quality seeds at a reasonable price ensures good yield and profit to the farmers. The seeds play a vital role in agriculture and act as a carrier of the genetic potential of varieties.
Quality seed production, which follows efficient certification procedures, plays a major role in the increase of food production in our country. To ensure this, the Government of Zimbabwe has prescribed standards of seed production, testing, certification and marketing procedures.
The seed produced at Nyangambe was inspected and certified by Seed Services Institute under the Agricultural Research, Innovation and Development Directorate of the Department of Research and Specialist Services (DR&SS).
A total of 16 tonnes of high-quality foundation seed was produced in the 2024 winter crop and we anticipate the same amount from the 2025 season. The foundation seed was further multiplied to commercial seed for retail across all semi-arid regions of Zimbabwe.
In Chiredzi, some seed is shared among community members, thus providing quality seed to the farming community of Chiredzi District. This improves local seed access and availability, directly contributing to the community’s food security.
Access to quality seed by farmers has significantly contributed to yield increase from an average of 0.6t/ha and 0.7t/ha to 1.3t/ha and 1.6t/ha of pearl millet and sorghum, respectively, since ICRISAT started working with the Chiredzi communal farmers.
“We have so far realised the highest crop yields in this ward, especially for sorghum and pearl millet”, says Mr Demeh (Chiredzi — ward 23 Agritex Officer).
The success of the program hinges on providing farmers with high-quality, viable and genetically pure seeds. This is coupled with Good Agronomic practices, which are imparted to the farmers by ICRISAT scientific officers from planting to harvesting. The officers train and monitor the farmers throughout the growing period, offering practical production tips that ensure quality seed.
The value of local seed multiplication
The local multiplication of seed has paramount scientific significance since it directly influences the genetic integrity, agricultural performance and climatic resilience on a community scale. It is the final, crucial phase of a comprehensive plant breeding and varietal development process that is conducted scientifically.
By producing quality seeds in the country again, it means that any genetic potential, such as high yield, drought-tolerant and disease-resistant traits, which have been carefully bred by scientists, are fully realised in the field of the farmer. The practice reduces the chances of genetic drift and contamination that may be experienced during long-distance transportation or storage, hence conserving the purity and vigour of the improved varieties.
Additionally, local multiplication offers a living, practical feedback mechanism to breeders and extension scientists, to enable them to measure the performance of the varieties in specific, micro-climatic and soil conditions.
This information is crucial in guiding future studies and by making sure that the next generation of crops is fully optimised to the local demands, which will eventually turn advanced agricultural science into practical yields, such as increased food security and more income among the smallholder farmers.
Climate adaptation in a drought-prone region
Chiredzi, located in agro-ecological region V, receives low rainfall, usually less than 500mm per annum, with increased frequency of droughts and mid-season dry spells, which reduce crop yields.
The widespread adoption of traditional grains, renowned for their drought tolerance and low water requirements, has given hope for food security and climate adaptation in Chiredzi District.
“We hope that ICRISAT continues working with Chiredzi farmers, supporting them with seed for improved varieties of sorghum and pearl millet for improved households’ food, nutrition and income security”, says Mr Bodi (DAEO – Agritex Chiredzi District).
