Project Summary Report
The objective of the project was to:
- Increase production, saving, exchange and use of farm saved traditional seeds and grains.
Achievements
Increased seed production, saving, exchange and use of farm saved seeds.
Seed production, saving and use among 468 seed growers in 26 Seed Study Groups increased by 35%, 30% and 25% respectively.
Conducted 2 SSG training workshops in Goromonzi district on seed multiplication facilitated by a representative from the Department of Research and Specialist Services Mr. Onismus Chipfunde.
A total of 68 farmers attended the training.
Conducted 2 other SSG training in Matobo on seed multiplication facilitated by Matobo Research Station breeders.
A total of 79 farmers attended.
500 households drawn from 3, 744 farmers in 5 provinces (Seed Study Group members) produced traditional seed.
More than 1,000 farmers took part in the 2 seed fairs that were conducted. One seed fair was held at district level in Goromonzi, and the other fair was done at provincial level in Matobo.
62 (with 90% of them being women) small scale farmers exhibited at the Goromonzi district seed fair that was attended by +/-350 people, and graced by stakeholders (traditional leaders, local leadership, local seed and organic fertiliser companies, government departments and parastatals.
56 (>94% females) farmers exhibited at the Matobo Provincial Seed fair. Attended by >200 people and graced by various key stakeholders amongst them traditional leaders, councilors, government extension and health sectors as well as teachers.
80 traditional seed growers exhibited in Matobo. All the exhibitors were women.
The provincial event in Matobo was attended by senior government officials, directors from local NGOs and parastatals. More than 500 people attended the event.
Best exhibitors went home with awesome prizes that included garden tools (wheelbarrows, garden forks, rakes, etc) cash and seed starter packs.
More than 150 traditional seed and crop producers from Matobo and Goromonzi received traditional seed starter packs containing groundnuts, Bambara nuts, pearl, and finger millet under the programme.
