Story by Wellington Makonese
THE Government has been commended for establishing systems that allow for the conservation of organic and indigenous seed varieties to ensure food security and self-sustainability.
Zimbabwe has been making headways in fulfilling the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal number two on food security, improved nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture at a time global food systems have been negatively affected by genetically modified crops.
Experts hailed the government for leading the region in the conservation of indigenous seed genes in maize and traditional grains among others, a strategy set to aid the region towards food security and sustainable agriculture practices.
“Zimbabwe is one the leading countries in genetic preservation, I commend the government of Zimbabwe for the construction of a viable national gene bank that is fully functional.
“SADC has seen it important for indigenous seed systems, we do not believe in genetically modified systems, there is a need for promotion of indigenous ones which are nutritious,” said the head of SADC Plant Genetic Resources, Dr Justify Shava.
Tertiary institutions are taking the initiative to have research and production of varieties conducive to the region.
“We are promoting African indigenous vegetables while promoting sustainable production, our research is on new seed varieties that are friendly to our environment,” said the Acting Director of the Crop Science Department (Plant Breeding and Biotechnology) at Marondera University of Agriculture Sciences and Technology, Dr Kennedy Simango.
The country’s agriculture sector has been on an expansive trajectory under the second republic owing to policy interventions such as the agriculture recovery and growth plan with pillars that support several subsectors.
