Transforming Zimbabwe's Food Landscape
Traditional Grains Conference Reveals Pathways to Food Security and Climate Resilience
Traditional Grains—such as sorghum and millet—were the highlight of a recent conference organized by ICRISAT in collaboration with the Government of Zimbabwe and Zimpapers. The event focused on the multifunctional benefits of these crops in enhancing food security, promoting climate resilience, and fostering sustainable agriculture.
The Traditional Grains Conference, held on 27 September, brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including academics, seed companies, and policymakers, to discuss the potential of traditional grains for food and feed security.
In his keynote address titled The Importance of Traditional Grains for Food Security and Sustainability, Professor Obert Jiri, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, emphasized the need to reimagine communication strategies surrounding dietary changes to create markets for traditional grains.
"To drive meaningful dietary behavior change, scientists and academics need to collaborate with the media in crafting innovative messages," emphasized Professor Jiri. "These efforts will not only promote the consumption of sorghum and millets but also create a robust market for these crops, which are essential for strengthening food security in our country."
Professor Jiri also underscored ICRISAT's efforts in transforming traditional grains into value-added products, stating, "The value-added products showcased today highlight the immense potential of these grains. When there is innovation in millet-based foods, we can drive consumer demand, ultimately boosting the market for these crops and increasing profits for our farmers."
Dr Martin Moyo, ICRISAT’s Country Representative for Zimbabwe, reinforced this message during his address, stressing the important role traditional grains play in building climate-resilient agriculture in Zimbabwe. He highlighted the drought-resistant nature and high nutritional value—especially in sorghum and millet—as essential components in the country's efforts to secure a sustainable and resilient agricultural future.
“Traditional grains are not only climate-smart but also highly nutritious,” said Dr Moyo. “At ICRISAT, our new strategy prioritizes impactful solutions to enhance food security. The technologies and innovations we have developed, including our genebank, are only valuable if they benefit the communities we serve.”
Dr Moyo noted that the southern regions of Zimbabwe, including the provinces of Matabeleland, Midlands, and Masvingo, are particularly well-suited for growing small grains such as pearl millet. "These areas align with the climate patterns and ecological profiles necessary for traditional grain production. This is where these grains can truly thrive," he added.
Further emphasizing the importance of seeds, Dr MacDonald Jumbo, a Senior Scientist at ICRISAT, underscored the need to strengthen the genetic quality of traditional grains, advocating for the establishment of a seed bank to boost production and improve access to high-quality seeds for farmers.
He also raised concerns about the private sector's reluctance to fund projects focused on traditional grains, warning that this lack of interest poses a significant barrier to achieving food and seed security in the country.
As the discussions unfolded, it became clear that a collaborative approach across various sectors, from government and academic institutions to private enterprises, was needed to make the traditional grains agenda a reality.
Dr Stanford Blade, Deputy Director General-Research at ICRISAT, welcomed these discussions, highlighting their alignment with a recent meeting held with Zimbabwe's Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, the Hon Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka.
"As I recently discussed with Hon Minister Masuka, during the Africa Food Security Forum, to fully unlock the potential of traditional grains, we need strategic partnerships, innovations in product development, adherence to agro-ecological mapping, and sufficient financial backing. We look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders to achieve this goal,” shared Dr Blade.
This work aligns with SDGs 2, 13 & 17.
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