Don’t discard traditional seed: Agricultural Expert

BY STEVE EPHRAEM

CHIMANIMANI – An agricultural expert in Manicaland Province has called on farmers to safeguard indigenous seeds, calling them a vital link to the nation’s heritage and food future.

The appeal was made by Manicaland Province Director for Agriculture Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS), Mr Nhamo Mudada, during his keynote address at the Chimanimani District Seed and Food Fair held under the theme “Nurturing Our Future and Reviving our Heritage,” and took place at Mukombwani Secondary School on August 27-28, 2025.

Mr Mudada expressed deep concern over the growing tendency of farmers to replace hardy, traditional seed varieties with exotic ones.

“Seed must be preserved and exchanged in our communities. This festival is there to serve that purpose. I have travelled to many parts of this district and observed that some seeds I used to see are no longer being multiplied,” he said.

Mr Mudada warned of the severe consequences of losing this agricultural heritage.

“If we let traditional seed disappear, it translates to the end of healthy, nutritious food in our land. We must not discard traditional seed, including all millet varieties. This will ensure we have food sovereignty, food on the table, and food nutrition security,” he stated.

He further challenged the attendees to involve the next generation.

“Now, our work is to ensure that those born in the future understand food security and sovereignty. We must make sure that we conserve, preserve, and work with the youth in traditional food consumption and the preservation of seed,” he concluded.

The fair was jointly coordinated by a coalition of local organizations: Chikukwa Ecological Land Use Organisation (CELUO), Zivakwawakabva, Towards Sustainable Use of Resources Organisation (TSURO), Valley of Hope (VOH), Zimbabwe Smallholder Organic Farmers’ Forum (ZIMSOFF), and Participatory Organic Research, Extension & Training Organisation (PORETO).

They received support from Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Zimbabwe.

The two-day event successfully drew a crowd of 2,243 people.