By Tafara Pande
The heart of Masvingo Province beat with pride this Wednesday as the Mwenezi Food and Seed Festival turned Neshuro Growth Point into a vibrant celebration of Zimbabwe’s rich agricultural heritage.
With displays of traditional grains, indigenous seed varieties, and age-old farming wisdom, the event was more than a cultural showcase it was a clarion call to return to sustainable, health-conscious, and climate smart agriculture.
Traditional leaders took centre stage, expressing their delight at the revival of indigenous food systems.
“Such programmes give us joy because they bring back our values, culture and identity,” said Chief Neshuro.
Chief Mazetese echoed these sentiments, warning that modern diets have distanced communities from nutritious foods. “Our ancestors thrived without hospitals. They relied on what they grew, pure, organic crops that healed and sustained life,” he said.
Chief Gezani added, “There are crops and foods we’ve forgotten. This festival is teaching the youth about our roots, and that’s powerful.”
Organized by the Mwenezi Development Training Centre, the event emphasized growing climate resilient traditional crops, especially in dry regions like Mwenezi.
“Hybrid seeds often fail here. Indigenous seeds are not only drought tolerant but also healthier and yield better. This festival allows farmers to exchange seeds and ideas to build food security,” explained MDT Centre Executive Director, Ms. Promise Makoni.
PELUM Zimbabwe’s coordinator, Mr. Theophilous Mudzindiko, revealed that this festival is part of a broader national programme. “We are taking this conversation countrywide. Farmers must unite, share organic seeds, and build resilience against climate change.”
Government support was evident. Ms. Rosemary Chingwe, Director for Coordination in the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, applauded the alignment with national efforts.
“The Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme is helping rural communities like Mwenezi become food secure by distributing inputs suitable for their ecological region, mainly traditional grains that thrive in dry areas,” she said.
Running under the theme “Nurturing Our Future, Reviving Our Heritage” the Mwenezi Food and Seed Festival reminded all in attendance that the future of food lies in remembering the past.
