July - October 2023 Issue Celebrating the wonder of Zimbabwe’s Millets
2. AGROECOLOGY NEWS A Resource centre for Permaculture and other Sustainable Technologies Ancient wisdom of traditional grains revived Zimbabwe is a country that faces many challenges, especially when it comes to food security. Most rural smallholder farmers in the arid regions of Zimbabwe like Mbire are likely going to be affected by drought because Zimbabwe is expecting normal to below normal rainfall this season (2023/24 season). But despite this sad drought story, there is still hope for a better future embedded in the dazzling potential of our traditional grains. These crops, also known as small grains, have been cultivated in Zimbabwe for centuries, and have many advantages over maize, our current main staple crop. Traditional grains are more resilient to drought and pests, require less inputs and water, and have higher nutritional value than maize. They are also more suitable for the marginal areas of the country such as Mbire, where rainfall is low, and soils are poor. Despite these benefits, traditional grains have been neglected and marginalised by both farmers and consumers in Zimbabwe for a long time. This is partly due to the colonial legacy that promoted maize production and consumption over indigenous crops, and partly due to the lack of market opportunities, processing facilities and finally, awareness of the nutritional value and health benefits that the traditional grains contain. As a result, traditional grains have been associated with poverty and backwardness, and have sadly lost their appeal among younger generations. However, this situation is changing, thanks to the efforts of our partners ActionAid Zimbabwe (AAZ), Trocaire, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UNFAO), Danish Church Aid (DCA), The Isle of Man (IoM), HEKS EPER including the government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of lands, agriculture, water, climate, and rural development (MoLAWCRR), research institutions, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and farmers’ organisations, to revive the production and consumption of traditional grains in Zimbabwe. Through the Strategic Partnership Agreement 2 project that we are implementing in partnership with ActionAid Zimbabwe, we are leveraging on the excellent potential of traditional grains in improving the livelihoods and food security of young smallholder farmers in marginal areas, hence, our efforts to promote sorghum, groundnuts, Bambara nuts, millet and sesame production and utilisation in the younger generation. We have been providing the youth farmers with improved seeds, training, and extension services. We also hope to establish a lot of market linkages for them. Our training and extension services include practical skills learning on basic agronomic practices of growing traditional grains organically, how to add value to traditional grain and produce homemade flour, bread, biscuits, and beer, and raising awareness among consumers about the nutritional and health benefits of traditional grains. The promotion of traditional grain production and consumption has an immense potential of producing remarkable results in terms of increasing the availability, accessibility, affordability, and acceptability of traditional grains in Zimbabwe. According to the Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZimVAC), the proportion of households that consumed sorghum or millet increased from 33 percent in 2019 to 41 percent in 2020. The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) reported that the area planted with sorghum increased by 82 percent between 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons, while the area planted with millet increased by 28 percent. The Grain Marketing Board (GMB), which is responsible for buying harvested crops from farmers, received over 77 000 metric tonnes of traditional grains in 2021/22 season, compared to 54 000 metric tonnes in 2020/21 season. These trends indicate that traditional grains have an exciting potential to improve food security in Zimbabwe and replace maize as the main staple food. However, there are still many challenges and gaps that need to be addressed to fully realise this potential. Some of these include improving seed availability and quality; increasing access to inputs, irrigation and mechanisation; especially among the youth, enhancing integrated pest and disease management; reducing post-harvest losses, expanding processing capacity, developing value-added products, increasing consumer awareness and preference, ensuring food safety and quality, creating conducive policy environment, securing adequate funding, building capacity, fostering innovation, strengthening partnerships, monitoring impact, scaling up best practices, and ensuring sustainability. Traditional grains have excellent potential not only to improve the diet and income of farmers in Zimbabwe’s marginal areas, but also national food security. By diversifying their crop portfolio and reducing their dependence on maize imports, young farmers can increase their resilience to shocks and stresses, such as droughts, pests, and diseases. By increasing their production and consumption of traditional grains, consumers can improve their nutrition and health status, as well as their cultural identity. By supporting the development of the small grains sector (with more bias towards women), donors and policymakers can foster economic growth, social cohesion, and environmental sustainability. The relationship between women and traditional grains in Zimbabwe is one of resilience, adaptation, and cultural heritage. Women play a vital role in this initiative through active participation in farming and food production, especially in rural areas where they engage in gardening, raising poultry and baking. However, they also face challenges such as climate change, food insecurity and market competition from processed foods. In recent years, we are glad that many women farmers have rediscovered the benefits of growing traditional small grains such as pearl millet, sorghum, rapoko and svoboda (barnyard millet), which are more drought-tolerant, nutritious, and environmentally friendly than hybrid maize. These grains are also part of the Zimbabwean culture and cuisine, passed on from generation to generation. Therefore, it is time to recognise and appreciate the value of traditional grains in Zimbabwe once again. They are not just a relic of the past, but a key for the future. By Justice Ncube Millets that have just been harvested being dried
AGROECOLOGY NEWS 3. A Resource centre for Permaculture and other Sustainable Technologies Goromonzi Seed and Food Festival a success The annual Goromonzi Seed and Food festival that was held on the 6th and 7th of October 2023 was indeed a success evidenced by educative and interactive exhibitions by Goromonzi Participants asking one of the exhibitors about the traditional seeds and food she was showcasing Farmers at Council Offices, Juru Business Centre. Running under the theme “Celebrating the wonder of Zimbabwe’s Millets,” the annual event promotes and celebrates food and seed sovereignty in Zimbabweand was hosted by Fambidzanai Permaculture Centre (FPC) in partnership with BROT fur die Welt and PELUM. Millets are an essential staple crop that have been grown in Zimbabwe for centuries, they are drought-resistant, nutritious, and can be grown in a variety of soils. Millets are also an important source of income for smallholder farmers. The event had a total of 22 exhibitors who displayed to the best of their abilities the greatness and uniqueness of Zimbabwean seeds and food. Some of the seeds that made way to the exhibition tables were Zviyo zvitsvuku nezvichena, mhunga and mapfunde machena nematsvuku amongst a variety of seeds not limited to just small grains. Traditional and Organic foods were also part of the displays and food staffs such as maheu ezviyo zvitsvuku, mutakura wenyemba nenyimo, dovi reruninga, mupunga, mufushwa yemunyemba, yemutsine to mention just but a few. FPC’s Director Mr Kudzanai Lewis Mashingaidze said it is a pleasure to meet the farmers and to celebrate and appreciate the work that they are doing in preserving the Zimbabwean Culture. ” I have always been a fan of traditional food, especially the ones that are prepared with local and organic ingredients. There is something special about eating food that has a history, a story, and a connection to the land and the people who grow it. Food that nourishes not only our bodies but also our souls. “That is why I am so impressed by the variety and quality of the dishes that are showcased here today. I have tasted some of the most delicious and nutritious food in my life, such as sadza, muboora, nyimo, mufushwa, and many more. I have also learned a lot about the different types of seeds that are used to grow these crops, and how they are carefully selected, stored, and exchanged by the farmers.” He said. On a lighter note, the festival featured acts from the popular Dhafu the comedian who held it down on the Master of Ceremonies desk, making it fun and enjoyable for the exhibitors as well as the general public. Vaima Arts Trust also held it down on the entertainment side, delivering the best of the Mbira traditional music with Chioniso Maraire’s Nhema Musasa being everyone’s favorite. St Johns Chikwakwa High School’s Mbira ensemble and the Goromonzi Band also delivered perfect performances that left Goromonzi residents happier than before. Delivering his closing remarks, the Goromonzi Organic Farmers Association (GOFA) Chairperson Mr Friday Mutawu appreciated the good work and commitment that Fambidzanai Permaculture Centre and its partners are showing to the Goromonzi farmers and also the hard work that the farmers are putting into preserving Zimbabwe’s tradition as well as upholding permaculture. “We want to appreciate Fambidzanai Permaculture Centre and its partners for the continued support that they are showing the Goromonzi Farmers as well as the farmers who have embraced permaculture.” Said Mr Mutawu. The event ended with the presentation of prizes to the farmers and exhibitors led by the Director FPC Mr Mashingaidze and FPC Community Development Manager Mr Jerry Kudakwashe, seeing Ward 11 taking the first prize home. Dhafu the event’s host doing what she does best Mr. Mashingaidze, delivering his speech during the festival By Tungamirai Mashandure
4. AGROECOLOGY NEWS A Resource centre for Permaculture and other Sustainable Technologies Goromonzi Seed and Food festival in pictures Some of the seeds and food that was exhibited at the festival Participants going through seeds being exhibited by the farmers Mr. Friday Mutawu delivering his speech One of the farmers listening attentively to the proceedings at the festival One of the exhibitors pose for a photo Vaima Arts Trust delivering their electric perfomance Chef Charlene Chisvo doing cooking demos Mr Mashingaidze (second from right) handing over a prize to the farmers who had exhibited Mr Mashingaidze (far right) handing over a prize to the farmers who had exhibited
AGROECOLOGY NEWS 5. A Resource centre for Permaculture and other Sustainable Technologies “A greener youths” future begins Mr. Mashingaidze now and by the “...let us grab this opportunity by the horns and capitalise it, that way we get to secure our future.” Normally commemorated on August 12 of every year, the International Youth Day was this year titled Green Skills Youth Symposium and was commemorated on the 12th of October 2023 at Mushumbi Primary School, Mbire District in Mashonaland Central. The Green Skills Youth Symposium which was running under the theme, Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World came only weeks after Fambidzanai Permaculture Centre (FPC) in Partnership with Action Aid Zimbabwe distributed seeds to over 250 young smallholder farmers in Mbire District as part of their efforts to complement the government in promoting Agroecology and food sovereignty in Zimbabwe as well as promoting and advocating for a greener future for the youth. In conjunction with the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training under the Strategic Partnership Agreement 2 Project, FPC and Actionaid Zimbabwe took the celebration to Mbire District, seeing youths from Ward 3, 5, 6, 8 and 9 coming through to exhibit indigenous seeds and value added products from what they produce organically. A total of 27 youthful exhibitors came through to showcase their seeds and value added products ranging from zviyo zvitsvuku, mhunga, mapfunde, sesame (white seed), nzungu, nyimo, cowpeas amongst other traditional seeds. Innovative and interesting value added products also wowed the Mbire residents and the Stakeholders as products like Baobab yoghurt, Goat feed, Tamarind jam, dried tomatoes, Foam bath and most interestingly Dish wash made way to the exhibition tables. FPC Director Mr Kudzanai Lewis Mashingaidze who was also the guest of honor highlighted how much overwhelmed he was by the youth’s exhibitions which lined with this year’s theme that advocates for youth embracing green skills. “Today as we commemorate the youth day in style, it is my utmost pleasure to have gone around the exhibition tables, seeing such innovative products that the youth are showcasing made me comfortable as that shows how our future is secured. “Green skills should be our mantra as the youth so as to secure our future, a future that is sustainable, a future that is organic, a future that promotes development amongst the youth, so a greener future begins now and by the youth.” He said. Sharing the same sentiments, Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Mbire District Head Mr Froday Mudhunguyo also highlighted the importance of the youth to engage in green skills to improve their standard of living through value addition of readily available resources as well as farming. “We appreciate what Fambidzanai Permaculture Centre in collaboration with Actionaid Zimbabwe are doing for the Youth in Mbire District, my advice to the young people is let us grab this opportunity by the horns and capitalise it, that way we get to secure our future.” Said Mr Mudhunguyo. Speaking on the sidelines of the event Nyasha Nyamasoka one of the small gains exhibitor expressed her gratitude to FPC for all that she has learnt concerning organic farming as such knowledge has changed her perception of agriculture and how it has also changed her standard of living. “Fambidzanai has played a huge role in my livelihood and I appreciate their efforts in educating us about permaculture, our standards of living has significantly improved and all this is because of the knowledge that FPC has imparted on us.” She said. She continued to thank all the other partners that also gave their hand in making the event a success. To lead by example, the organisers of the event and the stakeholders had a tree planting ceremony that was led by the Environmental Management Agency (Mbire District) which saw the planting of 33 fruit trees at the Mushumbi Primary School garden. Mushumbi Primary School Band provided entertainment that took every single participant up on their feet dancing to the energetic and interesting performance that they delivered. Mushumbi Primary School delivering their eletric perfomance Mr Mashingaidze (centre) handing over prizes to the Mbire Farmers Mr Mashingaidze delivering his speech during the youth symposium By Tungamirai Mashandure
6. AGROECOLOGY NEWS A Resource centre for Permaculture and other Sustainable Technologies Mbire Green Skill Youth Symposium in pictures One of the exhibitors on her stand Chidodo Secondary School students exhibiting their products Mr Mashingaidze touring Chidodo Secondary School exhibition table Mr Mudhunguyo, Ministry of youth District head (Mbire) delivering his speech Some of the Stakeholders who attended the symposium Mushumbi Primary School Band delivering their perfomance Exhibitors on their tables Mr Mashingaidze (Centre) handing over the 1st prize to the best exhibitor
AGROECOLOGY NEWS 7. A Resource centre for Permaculture and other Sustainable Technologies Smallholder farmers gather for a successful agroecology symposium at Nyika Growthpoint More than 200 smallholder farmers from different regions of Zimbabwe gathered in Nyika for a smallholder farmer symposium that was focused on promoting traditional grain production, consumption, and utilisation. The symposium, organised by Caritas Masvingo and supported by Trocaire, aimed to promote the cultivation, consumption, and utilisation of traditional grains such as sorghum, millet, rapoko and svoboda. Traditional grains are well-adapted to the dry and marginal areas of Zimbabwe, where maize, the staple crop, often fails due to droughts, floods, and pests. Traditional grains are also more nutritious, resilient and diverse than maize, and can improve food security, income and soil health for smallholder farmers. The symposium featured presentations from experts, policymakers and farmers on the benefits, challenges, and opportunities of traditional grain production. Some of the topics discussed included: • The policies and incentives that the government has put in place to support traditional grain production, such as the premium price, the grain swap scheme and the Pfumvudza/Intwasa inputs programme. • The best practices and innovations that farmers have adopted to increase their yields and quality of traditional grains, such as improved seeds, organic fertilisers, conservation agriculture and post-harvest management. • The value addition and marketing strategies that farmers have employed to enhance their income and competitiveness from traditional grains, such as processing, branding, packaging, and linking with buyers. • The nutrition and health benefits that farmers and consumers have derived from traditional grains, such as improved dietary diversity, reduced malnutrition, and prevention of chronic diseases. The symposium also provided a platform for farmers to share their experiences, challenges, and success stories in traditional grain production. One of the farmers who attended the event, Ms. Ntombizodwa Ndlovu from Matabeleland South said, “I switched from growing maize at least ten years ago. I have been growing sorghum, millet, groundnuts, roundnuts etc for a long time now. I now face a few production challenges compared to what I used to face when I grew maize. Of course, small grains are difficult to process, but you’re guaranteed that you don’t lose the whole crop in the field like what happens with maize. Small grains are resilient to droughts, pests and diseases but maize is not”. The symposium was a success in terms of raising awareness, exchanging knowledge, and building networks among smallholder farmers, consumers, markets, researchers, and everyone involved in the traditional grain production value chain. Most of the participants expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to learn from each other and from experts. They also expressed their hope for more support and recognition from the government and other stakeholders for their efforts to promote traditional grains as a viable alternative to maize. School of Agroecology students attend National Good Food and Seed Festival School of Agroecology level 1 students attended the 2023 National Good Food and Seed Festival that was held on the 29th and 30th of September at the Harare Botanical Gardens under the theme, Celebrating the wonder of Zimbabwe’s millet. This festival was aimed at promoting and honouring traditional food and seed sovereignty in Zimbabwe and this year’s focus was on the promotion of the Barnyard Millet (locally known as Svoboda) which was popular in some parts of Masvingo Province and had in the recent past been lost. Farmers proudly shared success farming stories with the students, clearly articulating how the knowledge of cultivating indigenous millets had been passed down for generations. They spoke of the resilience and wisdom embedded in these ancient grains, which had sustained their communiBy Tracy Mazhura By Justice Ncube Farmers exhibiting their seeds while participants tour and ask questions One of the students at an exhibition table asking about traditional seeds TO PAGE 8
8. AGROECOLOGY NEWS A Resource centre for Permaculture and other Sustainable Technologies FPC promotes the production of Indigenous Seeds Fambidzanai Permaculture Centre School of Agroecology, working with diploma in agroecology students, established a seed library concept aimed at promoting the production and exchange of indigenous grains. The concept works by borrowing out of indigenous seeds of choice and one will bring back the same variety in double the quantity or more depending on the seed type. This model ensures that students from agroecological zones where the cultivation of small grains is encouraged are selected and participate in the pilot phase. At least 20 students were selected for the pilot phase, drawn from areas in natural farming regions four and five. The selected students received indigenous seed starter packs to distribute to farmers in their working areas. Each recipient received a diversified seed starter pack with traditional seed varieties of different crops such as open-pollinate maize variety, cowpeas, ground nuts, round nuts, sorghum, and millet. The starter pack had a least 2kgs of seed for each crop, with one receiving an average of 6 packs. The student together with the selected farmers as beneficiaries will multiply the seed through agroecology practices. After harvesting the students are obliged to bring back a portion of the seeds to Fambidzanai Permaculture Centre (FPC) for distribution to students selected for the second phase. This model ensures continuous exchange and sharing of the seeds among farmers who are working with learners at FPC or farmers who have access to the Centre. Richard Mhazo one of the selected students to spearhead the program alluded that he has managed to grow a number of indigenous seeds in Sanyati and is targeting to grow some other areas. “From the seeds I was given at FPC, I managed to grow some and also share with 10 selected farmers from my ward. “The farmers I shared with were those with Demonstration Plots and others who have a history and understanding good agronomic practices.” Said Mhazo. Mhazo pointed out that the seed library concept and its model make it a good initiative to support farmers to grow indigenous seeds and help spread them to different communities through the work of extension officers who are agents of change. “I am happy that the organisation introduced this program and also as a distributor, I have the mandate of ensuring that I reach all interested farmers in my region and other communities. “Farmers in Sanyati were happy to receive the indigenous seeds, it was a new thing to them having someone not only encouraging them but also supplying them with seeds for traditional grains.” He said. Under the supervision of Mhazo, 10 farmers who were selected as beneficiaries harvested ten times more than the seed they were given and have returned a portion to FPC but the remaining seed is for the farmers to grow in the upcoming season. FPC School of Agroecology Team Leader, Mr. Shepherd Mudzingwa is of the view that traditional seed preservation is the key to food and nutrition security and that can only be achieved from enriching the farmers with the access and control of seeds. “Seed sovereignty is one of the panaceas to food and nutrition security and hence the move will in a way enhance the farmers’ access and control of seed while facilitating exchange. “There is a need for more support in facilitating the spread of the concept across the country and not only for students under the Fambidzanai Permaculture Centre and Bindura University of Science Education training program.” Said Mr Mudzingwa The project is still at the first phase and more of this project will come into shape as the farmers continue cultivating and harvesting these indigenous seeds. ties throughout history. Farmers exchanged seeds, not just for their own benefit, but with the intention of preserving and safeguarding the biodiversity of Zimbabwean agriculture. This act of sharing represented a collective commitment to nurturing the land and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come. On the side line of the event, Kerbouchard Zvovushe one of the students appreciated the glimpse of how proud farmers are of indigenous seeds, the preservation of the Zimbabwean tradition as well as the practical knowledge on the importance of these small grains. “We are proud to have had a face to face with the actual farmers who are out there doing the actual hands on, they are playing a very important role in preserving our tradition in as far as traditional food and food sovereignty is concerned.” He said. FPC School of Agroecology Team Leader, Mr. Shepherd Mudzingwa alluded to that as he pointed out that it was of importance of linking the students with the farmers so as to link the theoretical with the practical. “We are excited to have for this event as it has made the practical and the theoretical worlds meet, I am sure the importance and significance of the traditional food and seed is well appreciated by our students today, many thanks to the event planners.” Said Mr. Mudzingwa. The event was open for all who wanted to attend and comprised of various traditional dances from different parts of Zimbabwe, mbira, gole wankulu drama and dialogue on seed and indigenous food. Stakeholders including small-scale farmers and seed custodians, government ministries and departments, civil society organisations, private sector, media, and the general public were also in attendance. By Tracy Mazhura Students having an appreciation of traditional seeds FROM PAGE 7
AGROECOLOGY NEWS 9. A Resource centre for Permaculture and other Sustainable Technologies Design by Tungamirai Mashandure