SYDNEY MUBAIWA
ZAKA-The Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife Dr Sthembiso Nyoni yesterday commissioned a seedbank to be used by small-scale farmers in Zaka district to store small grains and mitigate the effects of climate change.
The project was implemented by Global Environment Facility (GEF) with support from Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
Addressing villagers in Vanyoro, Minister Nyoni commented development partners for teaming up with the Government in uplifting people’s standards of living.
“I am grateful to be here commissioning this seedbank. This is a great development for the Zaka community and let me comment development partners for implementing this facility.
“I therefore urge the people of Vanyoro and the surrounding communities to take full ownership of this seedbank. Let us work together to protect and manage this valuable resource, ensuring that it serves both the present and future generations, she said.
She said the construction of the seedbank is a bold step towards food security and enhancing resilience in dry lands with broad efforts to mitigate climate change effects.
“The commissioning of this community seedbank is a bold step towards strengthening biodiversity conservation, improving food security and enhancing the resilience of our communities in dry landscapes to mitigate the impact of climate change.
“This programme is aimed at supporting a transformational shift towards a sustainable and integrated management of multi-use dry landscapes,” she said.
She said climate change has affected the livelihoods of communities in dry regions as a result of erratic rains, encouraging the villagers to grow small grains which are suitable in their area.
“This initiative provides a permanent solution in mitigating hunger effects by preserving indigenous and drought tolerant seeds which are essential for ensuring food security and sustaining our traditional farming systems.
“The seedbank will serve as a repository of valuable genetic resources, ensuring that communities have access to diverse range of seeds adopted to the local climatic conditions.
“Through this initiative, farmers are left with the necessary resources and knowledge to safeguard their crops against climate variability,” she said.
Speaking at the same event, FAO Sub regional Coordinator for Southern Africa and FAO representative to Zimbabwe Dr Patrice Tala said the country was faced with a number of challenges that included climate change.
“This programme also trains farmer field schools, supporting local agricultural activities and increasing the resistance of local food systems.
“The main objective of the project is to promote the sustainable production of mopane and moyambo landscapes.
“The seedbank is aimed at conserving local seed varieties and farmers can deposit their seeds and withdraw them when in need.
“The project is also aimed at promoting forestry management through the establishment of tree nurseries and orchards.
“This community seedbank will assist in storing locally adaptive seeds, conserve and use of diverse crops including neglected and underutilised species,” he said.
Communities are being encouraged to grow crops that are suitable for their respective ecological regions.
This will also help preserve traditional drought resistant crop varieties that were almost disappearing as farmers had adopted commercial crops at the expense of varieties that were grown by their ancestors.
Some of these crops include rapoko, millet, cow peas, groundnuts and other drought resistant varieties.
Over 500 villagers are going to benefit from the facility which will allow them to store, manage and facilitate sharing of locally adaptable crop varieties.
The Vanyoro community seedbank in Ward 17, Zaka district was established in 2024 through collaborative efforts of local communities and government line ministries. The initiative with tree nurseries is also impacting and transforming livelihoods within a sphere of influence covering 20 villages.
