AFRICAN SEED AND FOOD UNDER THREAT

By HAPPY MULOLANI Since time immemorial most small-scale farmers have used traditional seed in their different farming activities. This means that, farmers are using recycled seed every successive farming season through traditional methods of preservation. This traditional way of protecting what is dubbed as African seed has evolved as most farmers have turned to hybrid cultivars. This shift has been necessitated as a result of the provision of improved seed varieties through a number of Seed Companies. George Kampamba, a small-scale farmer under the Farm Training Centre (FTC) in Chinsali district in Muchinga province, is one of the few farmers who diligently grows local variety on a relatively bigger scale to not only sustain his family but also to raise an income, as he has taken farming as a serious business. Kampamba, says he opts to still grow local maize variety alongside legume crops such as beans whose names are even identified locally such as Kabulangeti, Mensopansaka and Kansenga. He says these seed varieties are reminiscent of prominent names of areas or individuals held in high esteem in different farming communities. He vehemently opposes abandoning local seed varieties; he would rather compliment with whatever hybrid varieties because the differences are very minimal for legumes which should not be a basis to stop growing local varieties. “For instance, a lima of beans which he cultivates gives a yield of four bags by 50kilogramme bags, which does not vary much with hybrid seed which produces either five or six bags by 50kilogramme bags with proper management ”, says Kampamba. Kampamba, is one of the few small-scale farmers who “religiously” grows local varieties on a larger scale. Similarly, Ernest Chilambwe, a small-scale farmer of Chinsali district under FTC Camp (Chinsali Central Block) is of the view that local seed varieties such as maize, particularly Pandawa and Kalimwa which is the commonly grown maize local varieties are better grown nowadays for home consumption than for sale. “I cultivate one lima of local maize variety and the other one lima is for hybrid seed variety, mostly I prefer seedco. In the former, I get 12-15 by 50kilogramme bags, while the latter I harvest 15-20 by 50kilogramme bags”, he says. Chilambwe’s sentiments are premised on the fact that local varieties market value is lower than hybrid seed varieties due to their quality and yield potential. This notion is supported by other farmers who think that local seed varieties are grown mainly for home consumption because major designated buyers of strategic food reserves such as the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) would prefer to procure not only high yielding varieties but also quality seed (white maize) in case of maize grain. “FRA only buys hybrid seed maize varieties which are better in terms of quality as compared to local seed varieties like Kalimwa and Pandawa which is often mixed and viewed unsuitable for the market export”, says Chilambwe. He explains those farmers who sale local seed do so through other buyers who offer them prevailing market prices often recommended by the Government. His opinion is, farmers who still grow local seed still stand a chance of benefiting as there are less cost implications. “Growing local seed varieties does not necessarily mean farmers will lose out, it is just a question of positioning themselves for a readily available market for landraces”, says Chilambwe. However, Mr. Lucky Chileshe, another small-scale farmer in Chinsali district argues that it is difficult for farmers to continue cultivating local seed on a large scale because it has a lower commercial value than hybrid seed. He reveals that some farmers have opted to even stop growing local seed varieties due to their lower yields. Instead, they opt to cultivate hybrid varieties for both home consumption and commercial purposes due to their high yielding capacity. Chileshe explains that farmers do not just want to grow local seed for food security purposes but they also consider the dictates of the market. “The present trend shows that hybrid seed varieties are high yielding and are guaranteed of a readily available market”, he says. He posits that what encourages farmers to even grow hybrid varieties more is they are offered through different accessible seed companies and programmes. This idea has resulted in the proliferation of small-scale farmers turning to hybrid seed varieties because they are high yielding as compared to local seed varieties. This sudden shift from local seed varieties to hybrid seed varieties is a source of concern as it has implications on the preservation of local seed varieties which is now under threat. This is not only peculiar to maize seed but many other seed varieties such as finger millet, cassava, beans, and sweet potatoes, among others. But, there are still some farmers who believe they should grow both local and improved seed varieties for food security and commercial purposes. For instance, Joseph Ngosa, has been a farmer for the last 20 years, is skeptical about abandoning growing local seed variety because the harvest is still reasonable if properly managed and stable rainfall. “Growing local seed is still helpful as long as it is properly managed and the pattern of rainfall is sufficient to necessitate its growth”, says Ngosa. In addition, there are also many ways of preserving local seed varieties through the use of insecticides such as Chilindamatura Dust and Actelic Gold Dust which is readily available in many Agro-dealers outlets in the district. Few farmers still use traditional methods such as mixing the grain with wood ash, dry tobacco and Glyricidia Sepium leaves. “There are modern ways of preserving the local seed through the use of insecticide powder which helps the seed stay without being weaviled until the next planting season. There are still potential buyers who offer reasonable prices”, says Ngosa. Ngosa believes local seed variety was good in the past as it grew well without any fertilizer application. But, over time the soils are depleted and require synthetic fertilizers which to some extent contributes to low PH levels of the soil. To some farmers, this is one of the factors which has caused the sudden shift to improved seed varieties. Agricultural experts are of the view that African seed is certainly under siege as most farmers turn to improved varieties. It is believed these improved seed varieties register better yields compared to local seed. If this notion is not addressed anytime soon, local seed varieties will soon be history. The question still stands, if African seed becomes history, who loses? This is the more reason experts need to re-position themselves in capacity building among small-scale farmers in order for them to make informed decisions. This assertion is shared by Ministry of Agriculture Crop Husbandry Officer Wilfred Kamima who says farmers need to re-think their position and continue growing local seed varieties alongside hybrid seeds. But, this can only happen if front-line staff on the ground embarks on sensitization and capacity building or holding sessions with farmers to equip them with knowledge in dealing with such situations. “What is required is a better approach of conducting sensitization meetings with officers at grassroots, the front-line staff; who are Camp Extension Officers as they work very closely with farmers on the ground”, says Kamima. He cites demonstration plots as being good learning points and models designed by researchers at Research stations as they always emphasize on growing both local and hybrid seeds which allows farmers to have options and also from the results obtained, they are able to learn how relevant local seed varieties perform. This idea enables farmers to learn that both local and hybrid seeds are all advantageous and not any one type should be abandoned. Kamima acknowledges that local seed varieties are very good because they are disease resistant as compared to improved seed varieties which are easily attacked by diseases. “For instance, if you look at most hybrid maize, it is susceptible to Grey Leaf Spot (GLS). But, local maize seed such as Kalimwa and Pandawa are disease resistant which makes them suitable to survive despite changes in climatic conditions”, says Kamima. Research conducted by the Food Agriculture Organisation (FAO) also confirms that local seed varieties are able to withstand many diseases that hybrid seed varieties are prone to. This shows that farmers should not stop growing local seed varieties. Of significance, is to take cognizant of the farmers’commentaries concerning variation of yields of both local and hybrid varieties, which has its own merits and demerits. Clearly, what is required is a pragmatic approach aimed at creating more awareness among farmers to seriously re-consider utilizing local seed varieties as they are tangible benefits of food security and commercial value. If anything, front-line staff are critical at this point to inculcate the value of growing local seed varieties as a way of preserving the African seeds.