Local Seeds, Local Solutions
In Rufunsa District, farmers recently gathered for a traditional seed and food fair that celebrated Zambia’s agricultural heritage and the power of local knowledge. The event, organised by the Community Technology Development Trust (CTDT) under the NCA-DCA LIFT-Zambia Programme with support from Norad and DANIDA, focused on Food Sovereignty and Agroecology.
The fairgrounds buzzed with life. Farmers proudly displayed baskets of colourful grains, beans, and vegetables grown from local seed varieties. Each display reflected not only hard work but also the deep connection between people, land, and tradition. Many of the seeds showcased are rarely seen in urban markets, yet they remain vital for nutrition and resilience in the face of shifting weather patterns.
The event also served as a platform for farmers to voice their concerns. Through a communiqué on Farmers’ Rights, they called on local authorities to recognise the challenges created by national seed policies that limit the use and exchange of local seeds. Such restrictions, they explained, make it harder for smallholder farmers to maintain the seed diversity that has sustained rural communities for generations.
Across Zambia, many farmers are under pressure to use commercial and genetically modified seeds that must be purchased every year. These seeds often require chemical fertilizers and pesticides, creating dependency and financial strain. By contrast, traditional seeds are adapted to local conditions and carry knowledge built over decades of careful cultivation and selection.
As Zambia reviews its national seed laws, organisations like CTDT are advocating for the inclusion of smallholder farmers in the policy-making process. Their goal is to protect and promote traditional seed systems and ensure that local knowledge continues to shape the country’s food future.
The Rufunsa fair highlighted the value of community-led approaches to food security. It reminded everyone that resilience begins with the people who work the land, save their own seed, and pass on knowledge from one generation to the next.
Through the Economic Empowerment and Food Security thematic area, NCA-DCA supports farmers like those in Rufunsa to strengthen local food systems, increase incomes, and adapt to a changing climate. By promoting access to local seed and fair agricultural policies, the programme helps rural communities preserve their traditions while building a more secure and sustainable future.
