28/07/2026
Bikita Good Seed and Food Festival Celebrates Indigenous Knowledge, Seed Sovereignty and Resilient Food Systems
The 2026 Good Seed and Food Festival brought together more than 1,200 participants at Mukore High School in Bikita District on 24 July 2026, celebrating indigenous seeds, traditional foods and youth leadership under the theme "Honouring Our Diversity: Indigenous Seed and Food Systems."
The festival builds on the successes of SCOPE Zimbabwe's Seeding Local Cultures (SLC) Project, which is funded by the Government of the Netherlands and the Agroecology Fund (AEF). Through the project, SCOPE Zimbabwe is working with schools to strengthen agroecology, indigenous seed conservation, nutrition education and climate resilience by transforming school gardens into living classrooms that support Zimbabwe's Heritage-Based Curriculum (HBC).
The festival was delivered as part of the Zimbabwe Seed Sovereignty Programme (ZSSP), coordinated by PELUM Zimbabwe with support from the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA), and implemented in partnership with SCOPE Zimbabwe and BIZ. The event celebrated PELUM Zimbabwe's 2026 Crop of the Year – Nyemba (Cowpeas) while promoting agroecology, seed sovereignty and resilient indigenous food systems.
Traditional leaders, government departments, farmers, educators, development partners, learners and community members came together to celebrate Zimbabwe's rich agricultural biodiversity. Learners from Mukore High School, Mazungunye High School, Mazungunye Primary School, Duma Primary School, Ngondyore Primary School, Chirumba High School and Gwindingwi High School showcased their knowledge through indigenous seed exhibitions, traditional food displays, seed exchanges, poetry, drama, cultural performances and the "My Food Is African" live cooking competition.
Welcoming delegates, the Headmaster of Mukore High School, Svikayi Tengerayi said:
"It is an honour for Mukore High School to host this important festival. By bringing together learners, farmers, educators and partners, we are creating an environment where indigenous knowledge is celebrated and young people are inspired to become champions of sustainable agriculture and food systems."
Representing SCOPE Zimbabwe, Panashe Kasu, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, highlighted the value of school gardens:
"Our school gardens are more than food production sites—they are classrooms where learners connect culture, agriculture, nutrition and environmental stewardship. Through agroecology, we are nurturing a generation that values indigenous knowledge while building resilient communities."
Speaking on behalf of PELUM Zimbabwe, Theophilus Mudzindiko, Country Coordinator, emphasized the importance of investing in young people:
"The future of our food systems is being shaped today, in our schools, in our communities and through the knowledge we pass on to the next generation."
He further commended SCOPE Zimbabwe's school-based approach for raising a generation that understands, values and promotes safe, healthy, nutritious, resilient and culturally appropriate diets.
Local farmer and exhibitor Anna Gana reflected on the impact of the festival:
"The exhibitions have inspired us. We have seen the value of showcasing our own indigenous crops and knowledge. We look forward to hosting similar displays in our communities next season."
The festival also highlighted opportunities to expand the production and value addition of Rosella and Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) such as Hacha and Marula, creating new opportunities for youth entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods.
The 2026 Good Seed and Food Festival demonstrated how sustained investment in schools and communities can strengthen food sovereignty, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience. It also showcased how the Seeding Local Cultures Project continues to translate agroecological learning into practical community action through strong partnerships.
SCOPE Zimbabwe extends its sincere appreciation to the Government of the Netherlands and the Agroecology Fund (AEF) for supporting the Seeding Local Cultures Project, and to the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA), PELUM Zimbabwe, BIZ, Mukore High School, participating schools, traditional leaders, government departments, farmers and community members whose collaboration made the festival a resounding success.
fans
