The usually quiet agricultural communities of Mbire District came alive as farmers from all 17 wards gathered to celebrate the rich diversity of indigenous seeds and traditional foods at the district’s first-ever Good Food and Seed Festival.
Held under the theme, “It’s Our Life: Safeguarding Indigenous Seed and Food Diversity,” the festival brought together farmers, local government representatives, government departments and other stakeholders in a colourful celebration of the agricultural heritage that has sustained communities for generations.
Supported by the ZRBF II’s Ushingi Project and CIMMYT, together with other local partners, the festival provided a platform for farmers to share knowledge, experiences and indigenous seed varieties while reflecting on the importance of preserving locally adapted crops and traditional food systems.
The successful gathering demonstrated the value of bringing farmers together as teachers and custodians of knowledge. Rather than knowledge flowing in only one direction, the festival allowed farmers to learn directly from each other, with each participant bringing something valuable to the table.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Mbire Deputy District Development Coordinator, Mr. Tonderai Furusa, expressed his excitement over the success of the inaugural festival, saying such platforms were vital in preserving the district’s agricultural heritage.
“We are excited about this first festival because it gives our farmers an opportunity to celebrate, share and preserve our indigenous seeds and traditional foods. By protecting these resources, we are strengthening our food sovereignty and safeguarding them for future generations,” said Mr. Furusa.
The festival also served as a build-up to the National Good Seed and Food Festival, scheduled for 18 and 19 September 2026, where experiences from Mbire will contribute to a wider national conversation on the protection of indigenous seeds, traditional foods and agricultural biodiversity.
The participation of local government, government departments and other partners added another important dimension to the event, creating space for farmers and institutions to engage around the importance of agricultural biodiversity and community-led conservation of indigenous seeds and foods.
