Better livelihoods thanks to better varieties

Our project ‘Seeds for Zambian Incomes and Livelihoods’ (SeZIL) trained Zambian smallholder farmers in variety selection and seed production, leaving a lasting impact on their livelihoods.

Building farmers’ independence in variety selection

SeZIL farmers were provided with diverse varieties of corn, sorghum, sunflower, beans and soybean. Through a participatory network, they were involved in variety trialling, empowering them to learn how to discover the most productive varieties best-suited to their local conditions. “Setting up a variety trial, evaluating it, and utilizing the data is a skillset,” explains Willmar Leiser. “We do not see the farmers as passive beneficiaries, but rather train them to make independent decisions”, stresses Bettina Haussmann. Therefore, farmers were also trained in seed production for certain crops.

In Zambia, variable rainfall patterns and smallholder farmers’ limited access to agricultural inputs underscore the need for stable and robust crop varieties. Furthermore, prevalence of child malnutrition in many areas necessitates high nutritional quality in local varieties and diversified production and diets. “Most farmers were only growing corn and soybean before the project started – we broadened their horizons,” notes Willmar.

Ruth Sakala, one of the participating farmers, used to plant corn from local dealers and government initiatives without knowledge on, for example, their resistance to locally important pests or diseases. “After the theoretical and hands-on trainings from the SeZIL team, I know how to select high-quality seed suited to our local conditions. Our harvests increased, and now we know which varieties to choose for market and which ones are better for household consumption.”

Another participant, Geofrey Tembo, reports that he used to grow sorghum obtained from a farmer support programme but had little knowledge on the different varieties. “After the SeZIL research trials, my production has increased, and I am able to choose and purchase superior varieties. I have also disseminated my knowledge and improved seeds within the community, thereby benefiting all.”

Giving something back

´This direct engagement with the farmers was made possible through collaboration with Good Nature Agro, a for-profit social enterprise in Eastern Zambia dedicated to improving the agricultural practices and productivity of smallholder farmers, and linking these farmers to profitable markets. “We aim to be a trusted partner with foresight and long-term commitment to the lives of the farmers we work with – also in Zambia,” says Bettina Haussmann.

The benefits of the SeZIL project in Zambia are evident. “We are contributing to sustainable development and addressing food insecurity through our work,” says Bettina Haussmann. These activities align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, including “No Poverty” and “Zero Hunger,” among others. In our core business as plant breeders, we utilize genetic resources from crops that were originally domesticated by smallholder farmers in centres of diversity, many of which are in developing countries. “In a way, we owe them,” she states. “We can see it as our moral obligation to give back some benefits in return.”

Willmar Leiser adds that benefit-sharing should not merely involve contributions to government funds. Instead, we should focus on delivering improved products to the smallholder farmers who played a crucial role in creating the genetic resources; “by developing varieties that suit their needs and exhibit higher productivity, we are giving back to the very communities that contributed to our work.” |