Knowledge of regional and national seed laws and policies among smallholder farmers is essential because it enables smallholder farmers to participate in decision making process. It also supports farmers to have the courage to hold duty bearers accountable while strengthening their capacity to build a strong movement that champions farmers’ rights.
Zimbabwe Seed Sovereignty Programme (ZSSP) partner, Zimbabwe Small Holder Organic Farmers Forum (ZIMSOFF) is one of the ZSSP seven partners working with smallholder farmers in Zvishavane district in Midlands province, Zimbabwe. ZIMSOFF is building the knowledge base for smallholder farmers so that they are able to articulate regional and national seed laws.
Julieth Hove (55) from Ward 18 is one of the smallholder farmers working with ZIMSOFF. She is a widow who cares for her 90 year old mother and her two children. Juliet farms on a three acre plot where she produces food using farmers’ seeds.
“I use traditional and OPV seed which I select and save each year from my harvest. I also exchange these seeds with my neighbours, relatives and friends to increase variety and diversity of my seeds,” says Juliet.
Juliet says that she now understands that the regional harmonisation of seed laws threatens the old age practice of growing and swapping seeds because breeders’ rights are prioritized and companies are increasingly claiming ownership of life.
Julieth has participated in many workshops and exchange visits on seed saving and seed policies. She is the lead farmer in a Seed Study Group set up to allow farmers to continue learning from each other. Juliet says she has gained in-depth knowledge and skills on seed policies and is able to speak confidently about the need to promote farmers’ rights.
Julieth says she fully supports the implementation of Article 9 under the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture because it enables her and fellow farmers to participate in decision making on matters related to seeds and the knowledge around seed which is vested in traditional knowledge and practices.
Julieth says she understands the difficulties faced by farmers as they prepare for the farming season. She says most farmers are dependent on hybrid seed and this is unsustainable.
“Hybrid seed are an inconvenience to smallholder farmers in a number of ways. The seeds are not resistant to the harsh climate, they are expensive and discourage diversity. In this era where weather is unpredictable, farmers lose a lot of money buying seed in the event of crop failure due to bad weather. If the damaged crop is from farm served seed the loss is limited because a farmer can go back to the seed bank and gets more seed for replanting,” says Julieth.