PELUM HOSTS ‘INDABA’ ON GREEN REVOLUTION

PARTICIPATORY Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Zambia hosted a two-day regional “indaba” on Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, seed politics and agroecology.

PELUM communications officer Rebecca Botha said the “indaba” was aimed at raising awareness and disseminating technologies on agroecology and organic farming, creating platforms for information and knowledge sharing at national and regional level on agroecology and organic agriculture as well as informing policy makers and the general public on the significance of organic agriculture and agroecology to national food and nutrition security.

She said that PELUM Zambia members, PELUM Association, local farmers, civil society organisations, media and institutions of higher learning where in attendance.

Ms Botha also revealed that PELUM will host the Zambia Traditional Seed and Food Festival slated October 16, in Lusaka.

She explained that the festival celebrates farmers’ knowledge and raises public awareness about the contribution that traditional seed and foods and their management systems make towards community cohesion, national food and nutrition security.

Ms Botha said the festival raises awareness on long-term public health and well-being of traditional seeds particularly in the light of the ongoing global Covid-19 pandemic.

“It also raises public awareness about sustainable production, marketing and consumption through agroecology and its central role in shaping the country’s development capacity, attainment of the aligned SDGs as well as climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies.

“It also draws attention to critical and timely Zambian policy and legislative frameworks that influence the transition to a sustainable food system,” Ms Botha said.