The Hague-4 November 2010

Seed Initiative in Zimbabwe Seed Initiative in Zimbabwe

Presented by Thembi Maunze

smaunze@snvworld.org

Zimbabwe Natural RegionsZimbabwe Natural Regions

I – 1000+ mm p.a.II A & B – 750-1000mmIII – 650-800 mmIV – 450-650 mmV <450 mm

Southern AfricaCapital : HarareSize: ~397,000 sq kmPopulation: ~12million

Context analysis Context analysis ZimbabweZimbabwe

• 1980-1998: Zimbabwe a bread basket of Southern 1980-1998: Zimbabwe a bread basket of Southern

Africa, exporting various agricultural productsAfrica, exporting various agricultural products• Zimbabwe economy agro-driven (60% of manufacturing)Zimbabwe economy agro-driven (60% of manufacturing)• 2000-2009 Severe Crisis (Land reform): Hyperinflation, 2000-2009 Severe Crisis (Land reform): Hyperinflation,

Socio-Economic decline, political instability Socio-Economic decline, political instability • Agricultural collapse, Food deficit 7 million (2008)Agricultural collapse, Food deficit 7 million (2008)• Net importer of food grains leading to food insecurity Net importer of food grains leading to food insecurity • Humanitarian aid: Food aid, free input distributionHumanitarian aid: Food aid, free input distribution• 2009; GPA, Reforms (political, economic liberalisation 2009; GPA, Reforms (political, economic liberalisation

and first signs of recovery, Food aid reduced to 1.9 and first signs of recovery, Food aid reduced to 1.9

millionmillion

Inputs

Good Agri-

cultural Practices

Markets

Commercial Mindset

Infra-structure/

Land

Transport

Needs of Small holder farmersNeeds of Small holder farmers

InterventionIntervention

Goal- To make farmers food & income Goal- To make farmers food & income secure and to contribute to national food secure and to contribute to national food security through:security through:

Improving access to inputs, extension Improving access to inputs, extension services & infrastructureservices & infrastructure

• Promoting shorter OPV varieties Promoting shorter OPV varieties • Promoting drought resistance cropsPromoting drought resistance crops• Promoting Conservation FarmingPromoting Conservation Farming• Improving farmers’ business acumenImproving farmers’ business acumen

Transport

Processing

Seeds

OutputMarkets

Inputs

Business Training

GAP

Agriseeds- ZimbabweAgriseeds- Zimbabwe

Impact Impact

“ “ I am proud that I I am proud that I

contributed to the seed contributed to the seed

that is now packaged that is now packaged

so neatly. When I go so neatly. When I go

home, I will teach others home, I will teach others

how precious seed is. I how precious seed is. I

will tell them never to will tell them never to

consume seed , it tastes consume seed , it tastes

better when consumed better when consumed

by the ground.”by the ground.”