The 2024 edition of the National Good Seed and Food Festival roars to life

The 2024 edition of the National Good Seed and Food Festival roars to life

The National Good Seed and Food Festival is coordinated by PELUM Zimbabwe and Bio Innovation Zimbabwe with the aim of promoting food and seed sovereignty as well as healthy eating among Zimbabweans. Photo: Collins Chirinda/PELUM Zimbabwe.

The excitement is palpable as the countdown begins for this year’s National Good Seed and Food Festival, scheduled for September 13 and 14 at the picturesque Harare Botanical Gardens.

This eagerly anticipated event promises to be a celebration of agricultural innovation, sustainable farming practices, and culinary delights, bringing together farmers, food enthusiasts, and other stakeholders from across Zimbabwe and the globe.

Theophilus Mudzindiko (32) the Programmes Coordinator for PELUM Zimbabwe says the first day of this year’s two-day event aims at creating a platform for farmers from all over Zimbabwe to celebrate, share and exchange seed and seed knowledge, including cultural heritage.

The first day of the event will celebrate and recognise farmer managed seed and food systems, which are the backbone of seed and food sovereignty as well as resilience, not just for smallholder farmers but also for the whole of Zimbabwe,” says Theophilus.

This year’s festival is particularly exciting because it will showcase the resilience of farmer managed systems whilst highlighting the successes registered by farmers amid the El-Niño induced drought. Our theme for this year therefore is ‘Celebrating the resilience and diversity of Zimbabwean foods,” he adds.

Caroline Jacquet (45), Programme Manager for Bio-Innovation Zimbabwe says the National Food and Seed Festival as a whole, aims to promote healthier, culturally appropriate eating habits among the population.

Culturally appropriate diets are central to our programming. Since its inception, the National Good Seed and Food Festival has been aiming to promote organic and healthy eating habits in a world that is struggling to contain malnutrition and lifestyle diseases such as hypertension and diabetes,” she says.

Caroline also adds that this year’s festival will be bigger and better with traditional food exhibitions and food stalls selling various traditional dishes from across Zimbabwe.

This festival is about celebrating Zimbabwe’s foods. Talk about our Zimbabwean food has been somewhat negative. Participants should expect to see various exciting dishes and recipes made from our indigenous foods, different snacks, food and beverages,” says Caroline.

This year’s event will also coincide with the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA)’s Biennial Food Systems Conference, African Agroecological Entrepreneurs and Territorial Markets Convening, as well as the Agroecology Fund’s Learning and Exchange Visits.

Whether you’re a farmer, a food enthusiast, or simply curious about the future of agriculture, the National Good Seed and Food Festival offers something for everyone.

The two days will have performances from Mbeu and the Mhodzi Tribe, Gemma Griffiths, Elysium Magma, Tahle WeDzinza, FaB Fusion and Gule Wankulu. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to enjoy yourself, engage with different people from all walks of life and to be part of Zimbabwe’s journey towards a more sustainable and food-secure future.

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