Post-harvest losses of grain have prompted smallholder farmers in Goromonzi district in Mashonaland East province to grow indigenous seed which they say is resistant to pests and diseases.
The farmers, who have a long history of using hybrid seed say that the losses that accrue from weevils and other pests and diseases have made them to realise the advantages of growing and saving indigenous seed. These farmers are working with the Zimbabwe Seed Sovereignty Programme (ZSSP) partner, Fambidzanai Permaculture Centre, to share knowledge and exchange seed with smallholder farmers from other parts of the country.
Patrick Munetsi (71) is one of the smallholder farmers who is using indigenous seed. He says he is now able to provide enough food for his wife and four children.
“As a young man, my parents used to grow indigenous seeds. Somehow the practice faded out as hybrid seed became popular. However, after some time growing hybrid seed, I have realised that it has serious challenges. Most of the hybrid varieties are weevilled while they are still in the field, a trait which is completely different with indigenous seed. Apart from being pest and disease resistant, indigenous seeds have shiny and heavy grains and an original taste that does not get spoiled through agro-chemical use,” says Patrick.
Patrick grows finger millet known as pfumbate, groundnuts called tumbe and bambara nuts commonly known as zairedahwa. The local names are derived from the unique traits portrayed by each seed type and variety. Patrick says he was introduced to these seeds by his parents but he had stopped using them in favour of hybrid seeds. He has since realised that indigenous seeds are indispensable because they are more suited to the local climate.
Through seed exchange, Patrick received and planted a new variety of finger millet with long stems. Patrick prefers this variety because it enables him to harvest the millet while standing instead of bending. He says this variety is good for him as it will be difficult for him to continue bending his back as he grows older.
Patrick says he is a member of a seed study group where he has learnt and observed numerous commendable things about indigenous seeds. He has shared the knowledge acquired from the seed study groups with his children and other local farmers in Goromonzi.
Patrick says that indigenous seeds do not require fertilizers and this reduces operational expenses as smallholder farmers in the district cannot afford the high costs associated with growing hybrid seeds.
“The addition of fertilizers and chemicals pushes up input costs and raises concerns on safety and health for the people using the chemicals and consuming the food. Hybrid seeds are also known for their vegetative growth which attracts pests and diseases while indigenous seeds are disease tolerant and produce very big heads, cobs or pods. Indigenous seed are true to type, stable and unadulterated,” says Patrick.