For Jefinos Mafuka (22), the path to success did not lead to university as he had once envisioned. Instead, it took root in the soil of Nechitima Village, Ward 3, Chimanimani, where he is rewriting the story of rural resilience through seed saving.
After completing his Advanced Level studies in 2022, financial constraints made higher education an impossible dream. But rather than give up, Jefinos embraced a new journey—one deeply rooted in agroecology and seed sovereignty. His turning point came when he attended a Permaculture Design Course facilitated by Participatory Organic Research and Extension Training (PORET), a member of Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Zimbabwe.
“I began seed saving in 2022 after visiting PORET Centre for a Permaculture Design Course (PDC), which ignited my underlying passion for seed saving. During this course, I got to learn about seed and food sovereignty as well as the various methods that are used in seed saving,” says Jefinos emphatically.
His newfound knowledge did not remain theoretical. It transformed the way his family farms. A visit to the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in 2024 further solidified his understanding of seed saving, equipping him with practical strategies that reshaped their entire agricultural approach.
“We used to rely heavily on conventional farming and the use of hybrid seeds. My visit to ICRISAT in 2024 helped me with the much-needed knowledge on seed saving, which has completely transformed the way we do farming,” he explains.
One of the most profound shifts for Jefinos and his family has been the independence seed saving has given them.
“The biggest change is that we can now plant early without waiting for government seed input, which often arrives late. Seed saving gives us control over our farming,” he says.
But for Jefinos, seed saving is not just about self-sufficiency—it is also about resilience. He has adopted risk management strategies, ensuring that even in the face of failed crops, he has a backup plan.
“If a crop fails, I still have seeds to replant, securing the next farming season. Where we used to have one type of crop each season, we now have many different types like finger millet, different groundnut varieties, beans, and various millets,” he says.
The impact of his work has not gone unnoticed. Julious Piti (53), Director of PORET, emphasizes the value of equipping young farmers with life-changing skills.
“Youths like Jefinos are being equipped with life-changing skills, which they are using daily to transform their livelihoods and those of their communities,” says Julious.
Fellow young farmer Alisto Hanyani (28) sees Jefinos as a beacon of inspiration for youth in Chaseyama and beyond.
“Jefinos has been a role model for many youths in Chaseyama. He has continuously shown that youths are able to transform agriculture through adopting agroecology. More support is needed not only for Jefinos but for other youth seed custodians as well,” says Alisto.
Jefinos’ story is one of determination, adaptability, and vision. While he once dreamed of university, he has instead become a custodian of something just as valuable—food sovereignty for his family and community. Through his work, he is proving that true knowledge is not just found in books, but in the wisdom of the land and the seeds that sustain it.
