Programme Area(s):
-Resilience Livelihoods
-Global Leadership and Engagement

Overall Objective
To develop a concise, user-friendly, and evidence-based Policy Brief for policymakers, development partners, and civil society, outlining clear policy options for the legal recognition of Farmer Managed Seed Systems in Zimbabwe.

Project Brief Report
This report presents a synthesis of findings from a rapid qualitative assessment of Farm-Managed Seed Systems (FMSS) conducted in Ward 7 of Chimanimani District, covering the Bumba, Kushinga, and Mhakwe communities. The assessment was informed by three Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with smallholder farmers and ten Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with key stakeholders, including agricultural extension officers, traditional leaders, and local authorities. The objective was to evaluate FMSS practices, identify key challenges, and assess their contribution to resilient farming systems in the context of increasing climate variability. The findings demonstrate that FMSS are central to seed security and livelihood resilience in a rapidly changing biophysical and socio-economic environment. Farmers rely heavily on locally adapted and indigenous seed varieties to ensure timely access to planting material, maintain crop diversity, and reduce dependence on external inputs. These systems contribute directly to household food and nutrition security by supporting the production of diverse crops that are better suited to local agro-ecological conditions and climate stressors. Traditional seed exchange mechanisms, informal networks, and community-based platforms were consistently identified as critical strengths underpinning FMSS. These systems enable farmers to conserve, multiply, and share seed while preserving indigenous knowledge and adaptive practices. As a result, FMSS play an important role in climate change adaptation by enhancing on-farm biodiversity and enabling farmers to respond more effectively to erratic rainfall, pest pressure, and other climate-related risks. However, the assessment also revealed significant structural and policy-level constraints. Current national and sub-national agricultural policies and strategies continue to prioritize formal seed systems, with limited recognition of farmer-managed and informal seed practices. Key informants, particularly extension officers, highlighted gaps in policy alignment, regulatory support, and institutional capacity to effectively promote and integrate FMSS into mainstream agricultural programming. Opportunities to strengthen FMSS were clearly articulated by stakeholders and include the establishment and strengthening of community seed banks, targeted capacity-building for farmers and extension staff on seed selection, storage, and quality management, and the development of legal and policy frameworks that protect indigenous and farmer-bred seed varieties. Improved coordination between formal and informal seed systems was also identified as a critical pathway for enhancing seed system resilience. Overall, the integration of FMSS into national and sub-national agricultural strategies presents a strategic opportunity to enhance seed sovereignty, conserve agrobiodiversity, and strengthen smallholder farmer resilience. Supporting FMSS offers a cost-effective and locally grounded approach to advancing sustainable agricultural development and climate adaptation outcomes in Zimbabwe.

Objective
The overall objective of the assignment was to develop a concise, user-friendly, and evidence-based Policy Brief for policymakers, development partners, and civil society, outlining clear policy options for the legal recognition of Farmer Managed Seed Systems in Zimbabwe. This was guided by the need to.

• To review existing laws, regulations, legislation, and policies governing/ related to farmer-managed food systems in Zimbabwe. (Identify the current state, opportunities, and constraints placed on FMSS by Zimbabwe’s national seed legislation and other relevant agricultural and trade policies.)
• To document the role of FMSS in climate adaptation and ensuring the right to household food and nutrition security in Zimbabwe.
• To give actionable recommendations, best practices, and advocacy actions for the recognition of farmer-managed seed system in the relevant policy frameworks in Zimbabwe.

 Expected Outcomes

• A concise, user-friendly, and evidence-based Policy Brief for policymakers, development partners, and civil society

 Methodology
The assessment employed a qualitative, participatory methodology to examine Farm-Managed Seed Systems (FMSS) in the Bumba, Kushinga and Mhakwe communities of Ward 7, Chimanimani District. Data were collected through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with smallholder farmers to capture community-level experiences, practices, and perceptions related to seed management and climate adaptation. Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were conducted with agricultural extension officers, traditional leaders, and local authorities to provide institutional and policy perspectives. The discussions focused on seed acquisition, storage, sharing practices, challenges, and opportunities for strengthening FMSS. Participatory dialogue was used to ensure inclusive representation of farmer voices and local knowledge. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed to identify key trends, strengths, gaps, and actionable recommendations relevant to seed security, resilience, and sustainability.

Key Findings

Community Background and Traditional Practices
Smallholder farmers in the target communities continue to rely on indigenous and farmer-developed practices as viable alternatives to conventional seed storage and pest management methods. These traditional approaches remain widely applied due to their affordability, accessibility, and proven effectiveness under local agro-ecological conditions. Common seed storage and pest control practices include mixing seed with ash and locally available botanical materials such as zumbani (Lippia javanica), eucalyptus leaves, and African apple leaves, which are used to deter storage pests. Farmers also employ smoke treatment, including hanging seed above cooking fires, as a preventative measure against insect infestation. In the case of legumes, seeds are often stored in their pods or shells to reduce pest damage. Additional measures include the construction of raised storage structures fitted with rat guards and the protection of maize seeds by leaving husks intact on the cob to minimize pest attack. Seeds are also typically stored using locally available materials, including woven baskets, clay pots, glass jars, and reused plastic containers. These storage methods reflect an emphasis on sustainability, low cost, and local adaptation, enabling farmers to maintain seed quality without reliance on external inputs. Approximately 60 -80 percent of farmers reported being able to effectively treat, preserve, and multiply their own seed. However, a proportion of households’ experience challenges related to incomplete seed drying, which negatively affects seed viability and storage longevity, particularly during periods of high humidity. Farmers predominantly rely on sun drying, traditional granaries (guruva), and household-level storage systems, complemented by informal seed saving and exchange among neighbours. There is a strong emphasis on the cultivation and conservation of small grains such as sorghum, millet, and rapoko, which are widely recognized for their drought tolerance and suitability to the local climate. Overall, these traditional seed management practices contribute significantly to seed resilience, cultural knowledge preservation, and community-level adaptation to climate stress. Strengthening and supporting these systems offers a practical pathway for enhancing local seed security and climate-resilient agriculture.

Seed Acquisition and Challenges
Seed acquisition in the target communities is largely based on farmer-managed systems and Farm input support programmes by government and/or NGOs, with households obtaining seed primarily through saving their own harvests, exchanging seed with neighbours, purchasing from local markets, and, to a lesser extent, accessing seed through government programs and NGO-supported initiatives. While these channels provide a degree of flexibility and local adaptation, farmers face several persistent challenges. Certified seed is often either unavailable or prohibitively expensive, limiting uptake among smallholder farmers. In addition, farmers reported a high risk of acquiring counterfeit or low-quality seed from informal markets (Sakubva), which undermines crop performance and farmer confidence. Recurrent droughts and increasingly unpredictable rainfall patterns further disrupt seed availability and quality (FMSS), particularly for subsequent planting seasons. Inadequate storage facilities at household and community levels also contribute to significant seed losses, reducing viable seed stocks over time. Access to improved and modern seed varieties remains limited, and formal seed systems continue to prioritize commercial varieties while largely overlooking indigenous and farmer-bred seed types. This systemic gap constrains community-managed seed diversity and weakens the overall resilience of local seed systems.

Seed Sharing, Policies, and Community Collaboration
Seed sharing remains a common and highly valued practice within the communities, serving not only as a mechanism for accessing planting material but also as an important means of strengthening social cohesion and maintaining genetic diversity. Through informal exchanges among households and neighbours, farmers are able to diversify their crop portfolios and preserve locally adapted varieties. However, these practices are not without challenges. Limited quantities of available seed often constrain the scale of sharing, and in some instances, cultural perceptions and fears particularly those associated with witchcraft affect trust and willingness to exchange seed openly. Awareness and understanding of government seed policies are generally low among community members, with many participants indicating uncertainty about regulations governing seed production, exchange, and use. This knowledge gap was widely acknowledged, and farmers expressed a clear need for targeted information and educational support to better understand their rights and opportunities within the existing policy framework. Community collaboration around seed systems occurs mainly through organized platforms such as seed fairs, field visits, and agricultural field days, which provide opportunities for learning, exchange, and collective action. While these platforms are recognized as valuable, participation levels vary across communities, influenced by factors such as timing, resource constraints, and competing livelihood demands. Strengthening these collaborative spaces could enhance knowledge sharing and reinforce community-led seed system development.

Challenges, Support Needs, and ASPIRATIONS
Farmers identified a range of interconnected challenges affecting the effectiveness and sustainability of their seed systems. These include persistent pest and disease pressures during seed storage, inadequate household and community-level storage infrastructure, and limited access to improved and climate-resilient seed varieties. Participants also expressed concern over the gradual loss of indigenous seed knowledge, particularly among younger generations, as well as the labour-intensive nature of producing and managing small grains. These challenges are further compounded by climate change related stresses, including prolonged dry spells and erratic rainfall, which continue to undermine seed quality and availability. To address these constraints, farmers emphasized the need for targeted support interventions. Priority areas include training on seed selection, post-harvest handling, storage techniques, and pest management, alongside improved access to quality seed both locally adapted indigenous varieties and suitable improved types. The establishment and strengthening of community seed banks and nurseries were highlighted as critical entry points for enhancing seed availability and preservation. Farmers also identified the need for affordable drying, storage, and small-scale irrigation facilities to reduce losses and stabilize seed production. At a broader level, stakeholders underscored the importance of policy and institutional support that formally recognizes Farm-Managed Seed Systems as an integral component of the national seed system. Looking ahead, communities articulated clear aspirations centred on strengthening community and Household seed banks, safeguarding indigenous seed varieties and associated cultural knowledge, and promoting greater seed diversity as a foundation for climate resilience, food security, and long-term agricultural sustainability.

FMSS and Climate Adaptation
The three communities clearly recognize Farm-Managed Seed Systems (FMSS) as a critical component of climate change adaptation at household and community levels. FMSS provide access to drought-tolerant and locally adapted seed varieties that are better suited to increasingly variable climatic conditions. Through these systems, farmers are able to experiment with different crops and varieties, adjust planting choices, and respond more flexibly to shifting rainfall patterns and temperature extremes. FMSS also promote adaptive practices such as seed exchange, crop diversification, and the preservation and transmission of indigenous knowledge, all of which strengthen local resilience. Importantly, FMSS contribute directly to household food security by ensuring reliable access to locally available and affordable seed, reducing dependence on external inputs and enhancing farmers’ capacity to sustain production under climate stress.

Successful Practices and Recommendations
Farmers across the three communities highlighted several successful practices that continue to strengthen local seed systems and enhance resilience. Seed exchange among farmers remains a cornerstone of community cooperation, enabling households to access a wider range of crop varieties while reinforcing social ties. The use of traditional pest deterrents and indigenous storage techniques has proven effective in reducing post-harvest losses, particularly where modern inputs are unavailable or unaffordable. Farmers also place strong emphasis on maintaining diverse seed varieties that are well adapted to local agro-ecological conditions, allowing them to manage climatic variability and reduce production risks. Together, these practices support seed security, conserve agrobiodiversity, and sustain indigenous knowledge systems that have been developed and refined over generations. Their continued application demonstrates the capacity of communities to manage resilient seed systems using locally available resources. Building on these successes, stakeholders put forward a set of key recommendations aimed at strengthening Farm-Managed Seed Systems (FMSS) in a more structured and sustainable manner. Central among these is the formal recognition and institutional support of FMSS through enabling policies and responsive extension services that bridge formal and informal seed systems. Participants emphasized the need for targeted capacity-building initiatives focusing on seed selection, storage, and crop diversification to improve seed quality and performance. The establishment and strengthening of community seed banks were identified as critical for safeguarding indigenous varieties and improving access to quality seed. In addition, facilitating access to improved seed varieties and modern, affordable storage solutions would help reduce losses and enhance productivity. Finally, conducting awareness and sensitization campaigns to encourage broader farmer participation in seed fairs and community-led activities was seen as essential for strengthening collaboration, knowledge exchange, and collective ownership of local seed systems.