The Mutiusinazita initiative is a community program operating in eastern Zimbabwe that helps preserve traditional crop varieties and strengthens farmers' resilience to climate change. This seed bank unites 285 participants and stores seeds of traditional small grains that farmers can use during droughts and other challenging growing periods.
The project is based on local agricultural methods where families traditionally selected and saved the best seeds for future harvests. Nyadzi Mupungi, Secretary of the Mutiusinazita Seed Bank, noted that storing seeds in the bank protects them from damage, unlike storage at households where they are vulnerable to pests and extreme weather.
Furthermore, the project opens up new income opportunities by allowing farmers to sell seeds to other producers. Seed containers are labeled with the producer's name and contact details. A nursery area for indigenous tree species has also been established within the community, which aids in biodiversity restoration and generates additional income.
As climate change leads to rising temperatures and more frequent dry spells, traditional grain crops are becoming increasingly important. Agronomist Kundai Zwarai emphasized that these crops have a better chance of survival even under drought and heat due to their high tolerance.
Community leaders assert that the seed bank acts as a buffer against recurring droughts, as farmers can take seeds when crops fail and then replenish stocks when conditions improve. Lenton Nechivove, Deputy Chairperson of the community group, stated that even with successive droughts, the community will not run out of resources because it can continuously replenish supplies from the bank after recovery.
Agricultural experts insist that preserving local seeds must go hand-in-hand with protecting traditional knowledge related to the production, selection, and storage of these seeds. They call for more detailed documentation of these practices to help future generations adapt to climate change and preserve Zimbabwe's agricultural heritage.
