A Programme for the Development of Strategies for In-Situ Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in the Semi-arid Regions of Zimbabwe (TshoIotsho)

• Full Case Study Report (140kb)
  
• Debriefing Documents
  
• Zimbabwe seminar proceedings (221kb)

The project was conceived by IFAD in 1997 and introduced to the national governments of Mali and Zimbabwe through IPGRI and FAO. The overall goal of the project was improved food security for small-holder farmers through the conservation and sustainable utilization of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA). The specific objectives were: 1) to understand the practices and systems for conservation and utilization of PGRFA on-farm; and 2) to develop strategies for, and implement in-situ and ex-situ conservation and utilization of PGRFA in Zimbabwe.

The project aimed at conserving agro-biodiversity through an understanding of traditional conservation methodologies obtained through preliminary and detailed surveys and an understanding of the existing biodiversity, obtained through germplasm collections, National Genebank- and farmer-based morphological characterisations, molecular characterisation and GIS studies. The project also implemented agrobiodiversity conservation activities at the farmer level. These activities included seed fairs, farmer-field fora and the establishment of community-level seed banks. The project was conducted at three sites in Mali and two sites in Zimbabwe. This case study focused on the Tcholotcho site in Zimbabwe, 120km from Bulawayo. It also focused on the conservation activities implemented at the farmer level, namely the seed fairs, farmer-field fora and the community seed bank as, at the time the case study was done, the information derived from the surveys and characterisation activities had not been fed-back to influence conservation activities on the ground.

The project was funded by IFAD, through IPGRI and FAO that provided technical backstopping, coordinated by the Department of Research and Specialist Services (DR&SS, now AREX) in Zimbabwe, and implemented through Government organisations, Academic Institutes and NGOs. The project encouraged agro-biodiversity conservation and introduced two improved varieties of Pearl Millet and an improved variety of cowpea. Some of the traditional varieties of Sorghum were replaced by improved varieties.

To increase awareness of agro-biodiversity, particularly diversity within a crop species, and to facilitate the exchange of germplasm, seed fairs were conducted in 3 consecutive years. The seed fairs were organised by an NGO, CommuTech, in collaboration with a farmer committee. Farmers were encouraged to display the diversity of crops and varieties that they grow with prizes presented according to three criteria; diversity, seed quality and presentation. Prizes were sourced by CommuTech from the private sector. They consisted of hoes, ploughs, blades, seeds etc. and provided an incentive for farmers to collect and conserve biodiversity. Farmers expressed enthusiasm for the seed fairs as they provided a forum where farmers could meet, interact and exchange germplasm. This study did find that a couple of interested farmers acquired a large number of varieties and crops, predominantly through exchange at the seed fairs, so that they could win first prize at the next seed fair. These two farmers seemed to have a genuine interest in the maintenance of varieties, even though it took an enormous amount of work to maintain them, and said they would continue in the maintenance even if the seed fairs stopped. The enthusiasm of these farmers however discouraged other farmers from conserving diversity as other farmers knew they would never get the good prizes. It was found that the numbers of farmers attending the seed fairs declined over the years mainly because farmers were discouraged from attending if they did not receive a prize.

At farmer-field fora farmers were taught about the multiplication of varieties in isolation to maintain varietal integrity, row spacing etc. This activity took place during farmer-based morphological characterisation. The characterisation trial included traditional varieties from the other Zimbabwe project site, local varieties and improved varieties. It was difficult to really determine the impact of this activity on biodiversity conservation as there was another project running in parallel to this one in which farmers were learning how to grow an improved pearl-millet variety (PMV3) in isolation, under contract with a local seed company.

Although efforts were made to include farmers in the construction of the Community Seed Bank, it was eventually constructed by CommuTech with some funds being provided by farmers. The Seed Bank is a modern structure with a number of rooms, including a meeting room, but there appears to be little specific understanding on how the Community Seed Bank is to operate and what purpose it will serve.

This case study provides several useful lessons:

• Long communication chains and interruptions and changes of personnel can seriously delay the implementation of community-based biodiversity conservation projects
• Where there are a number of collaborators it is important to clearly define roles and responsibilities, and ensure a common vision.
• Submission of timely and quality reports to donors and partners is essential in ensuring the smooth flow of resources and information.
• Where funds are being released at the farmer level there is need to ensure a short funding chain.
• Two or more projects operating in parallel and involving the same farmers, yet with different objectives and incentives can be counter-productive.
• Market linkages are essential to provide sustainable income for an initiative.
• Field level staff should be involved in planning as well as implementation of the project.
• Donors, International agencies and coordinating agencies should monitor projects through field visits rather than rely solely on reports.
• Other stakeholders should be kept informed of the different parts of the project through eg workshops, field visits and evaluations in order to develop a shared vision of the initiative.
• Full participation of the beneficiaries is essential for sustainability
• Field activities should build on the findings of preparatory work
• Academic research must be fed-back to the community to impact the project’s immediate outputs.
  

Elijah Rusike & Morag Ferguson