INTRODUCTION CTDT has more than 10yrs experience in

community based on farm seed systems Current activities cover 10 districts of Zimbabwe

(Tsholotsho, Chiredzi, UMP, Chegutu, Goromonzi, Seke, Nyanga, Murewa, Mudzi, Mtoko)

Both farmer saved seed and improved seed from the formal sector has been distributed through seed bulking/ multiplication programmes

Enable the conservation of different plant genetic resources within the local communities so as to safeguard against genetic erosion.

Act as a strategic seed reserve at community level in case of genetic loss due to natural disasters such as droughts, floods , diseases, etc.

Create a link between the communities and national gene bank for easy access to genetic materials: farmers can retrieve lost genetic material from the National Reserve

Serve as a platform for knowledge exchange and trade of planting materials by farmers within rural communities

Seed banks are strategically placed in the management of Changing Climatic Environments

CROPS Accessions in 3 Seed banks

Maize 95Sorghum 350Pearl millet 270Cowpeas 550Ground nuts 127Indigenous vegetables 190TOTAL ACCESSIONS 1582

Year Crop Seed produced (tons)

2000 ( Seed Co/ICRISAT/CTDT)

Pearl millet 140

2001 ( Seed Co/ICRISAT/CTDT)

Pearl Millet 55

2002( Seed Co/ICRISAT/CTDT)

Pearl Millet 90

2003( Seed Co/ICRISAT/CTDT)

Pearl Millet 300

2004 (Agri-seeds/CTDT) Pearl Millet 1502005 (Agri-seeds/CTDT) Pearl Millet 952006 (Agri-seeds/CTDT) Pearl Millet 552007 (Agri-seeds/CTDT) Pearl Millet 672008 (Agri-seeds/CTDT) Pearl Millet 582009 (Agri-seeds/CTDT) Pearl Millet 32

District

Maize seed (MT)

Cowpea (MT)

Sorghum (MT)

Groundnuts (MT)

Total Beneficiaries

Mrehwa

45 (Hybrid)

3 1 - 4500

Mutoko

40 (Hybrid)

3 1 - 4000

UMP 25 (Hybrid)

2 1 - 2500

UMP 45.5 (OPV)

- 1 - 4550

Mudzi 35(OPV) 3 25 20 7500 Chiredzi

40 (OPV) 3 10 - 4000

Seke 79.4 (OPV)

- - - 5294

Vegetable seeds are distributed during Dry Winter Months to vulnerable households.

Among communities, cultivation of leafy vegetables in wetland areas is common soon after the end of rain-fed agriculture.

During the winter period (April to July 2009) CTDT distributed 2000 nutritional kits with eight different vegetables (rape, beans, carrots, butternut, tomato, onion, cabbage & squash).

NB- there is need to initiate vegetable seed production programmes at community level.

Facilitate the establishment of community based seed production associations (groups).

Decentralize seed production requirements by crop type and quantities to Provinces.

Promote inter-provincial seed trade centres Enhance engagement of farmers into

contract seed production through an agri-business approach.