Community seed bank opened in Tsholotsho
TSHOLOTSHO villagers on Friday received a major boost following the opening of the Bubude Community Seed Bank in ward 17 that will see seed being stored to preserve genetic diversity for the future and curb their vulnerability to extinction.
A seed bank is a place where seeds are stored to preserve them for the future. They are usually flood, bomb and radiation-proof vaults holding jars of seeds from different plant species. The seeds are typically kept at low humidity and in cold conditions. This helps to preserve the seeds, ensuring they can still grow when they are needed later.
With a global estimation that 40 percent of plant species are vulnerable to extinction, a seed bank is a form of insurance, a way of maximising the number of plant species that can be saved from this fate. The Seed Bank was constructed by the villagers with funding from the Government supported by German Co-operation through the Mana Project.
Bubude Community Seed Bank chairperson Mr Christopher Mpofu said the seed bank will minimise the risks of having their seeds succumbing to different unexpected disasters and accidents.
“When we built this seed bank we realised that unlike any other method, farming does not end or fade so we realised that this Seed Bank is going to help people from the community as they are going to be able to store their seedlings. We saw this as the best alternative method for keeping seed for future use considering the dangers which comes with the keeping of seed at home in our granaries. They are prone to various risks which include fire, pests and diseases as well as theft,” said Mr Mpofu.
He said villagers committed themselves towards the construction of the seed bank through providing different resources.
“We built this seed bank with the support from Government and Mana Project donors. As a community we provided materials such as river sand, pit sand and water and the donors assisted with cement, door frames, window frames and roofing material,” said Mr Mpofu.
The Seed Bank is divided into two where there is a seed bank storeroom and a hall where farmers are set to be trained as well as host workshops, meetings, and any other events to do with farmers.
“As a community we did not have a hall which was suitable for hosting any events so this hall comes as a blessing to us as farmers, as we are now going to be able to hire out it for various purposes,” said Mr Mpofu.
Beneficiaries expressed their excitement over the development.
“The opening of this seed bank brings in development in the farming sector as we are now going to be able to store our seed for a long time without them being spoiled,” said Mrs Sibusisiwe Tshuma.
Ms Shila Ndlovu sentiments and said:
“As community members we are happy about the opening of this seed bank as we are now going to be able to store our seed in a safer place than keeping them at home where as farmers we were losing them pests and diseases. Now that we have managed to have our own seed bank, our seeds are going to be safe from all these dangers. Not only for ward 17 but this seed bank is open for everyone even those from the nearest wards. We are looking forward to store hangaria, maize (ibhabhadla) and millet (known as sgurugudwane) as these are the seeds we mostly plant.”
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