In the battle for food sovereignty, nutrition and climate resilience, advocacy comes on many fronts and on many levels. However, meaningful advocacy is that which transforms the mindsets, attitudes, practices and lifestyles at an individual level. Visible and tangible evidence in this regard is a key aspect for effective advocacy.
Shashe smallholder farmer organization from Masvingo Province has set the ball rolling on this front through hosting a first ever farmer-led field day within the Zimbabwe Smallholder Organic Farmers’ Forum (ZIMSOFF), a Zimbabwe Seed Sovereignty Programme (ZSSP) partner.
Ever since the invasion of the ‘green revolution,’ proponents of this inappropriate, expensive, extractive and unsustainable industrial agriculture model have used field days to further their goals. These goals usually revolve around marketing hybrid seeds and agrochemicals.
“Local farmers, traditional leaders, women and youth simply occupy the space, whilst these so called technicians have the floor. It has become obvious to the farmers that such field days are being organized to turn the farmers towards the organizers’ messages or products,” says Nelson Mudzingwa, ZIMSOFF National Coordinator.
Farmers working with ZIMSOFF are turning the tables. Farmers have begun to organize their own field days where they can promote and advocate for their own traditional foods and ecological farming practices. The farmer-led field day organized by Shashe smallholder farmer organization on 04 April 2019 at Shashe Agroecology School was a milestone in advocacy for seed and food sovereignty to deal with nutrition deficiencies and climate change in Zimbabwe.
At least 200 local farmers, youth and government officials including the District Administrator who attended the event witnessed “the revival of traditional knowledge and practices, management of indigenous trees, water harvesting, local seed production, manure making, integrated projects such as fish farming, fruit and vegetable production, and management of diverse large and small livestock,” says Nelson.
These traditional and ecological practices are becoming more and more necessary as, “local farmers continue to experience poor production results, poor nutrition and an expensive life where they have to buy food every day,” added Nelson.
The farmer-led field day allowed farmers to advocate by doing, providing tangible evidence to participants through showcasing alternatives to enhance their livelihoods during this time of climate crisis.
Although there is recognition by the Zimbabwean Government for these practices, the shift towards them is not happening fast enough yet climate change is ravaging families and communities. Such events that expose government and other members of the community to the undeniable ‘proof of concept’ are critical in building a movement towards locally appropriate and sustainable farming in Zimbabwe and Africa as a whole.
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