Photo by Rob Symons
A glorious sunrise greets the morning of 22 August 2025.
Rhythmic drumming sounds across the dry Masasire landscape announcing the Bikita Seed and Food Fair will soon begin. It is going to be another hot day. Truckloads of farmers are dropped off and they make their way through the dry grass. Their excited chatter grows fainter as they approach Kumboedza garden and three marquees to provide vital shade for the crowd.
On one side, a large fenced enclosure contains the 287 displays of seeds, fresh produce, wild foods, medicinal herbs and plants, local crafts and other interesting items. The displays have been set up by farmers from the six Bikita communities accompanied by EarthLore – Chirorwe, Gangare, Mamutse, Masasire, Mutsinzwa and Nebarwe.
The Seed and Food Fair is an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the achievements of the farmers and to share and exchange traditional seeds and knowledge. A couple of Agricultural Business Advisory Officers (ABAO), busy since early morning assessing the displays, are still determining which one will emerge as the best for 2025.
EarthLore’s co-custodian, Gertrude Pswarayi Jabson, invokes the ancestors and expresses gratitude for their many blessings at the start of the event. Photo by Simon De Swardt
The Seed and Food Fair starts with an invocation to the ancestors, expressing gratitude for their many blessings. A crowd of well over 400 people are gathered to celebrate the culmination of the 2025 agricultural season, including South African farmers from Venda and Mpumalanga. Representatives from local organisations ZIMSOFF, PORETO and Zivakwawakabva Trust also supported the event. When Chief Masasire arrives, it confers an importance on the event that sets the Masasire community abuzz and fills the crowd with excitement.
Chief Masasire’s attendance and appreciation of the work being done by the farmers was welcomed. Photo by Simon De Swardt
In his address, Chief Masasire thanked EarthLore Foundation for the contribution it has made in Bikita, including the communities under his chieftainship. “Ten years ago, when EarthLore came to Bikita, we were short of food and people relied on the government. We were growing hybrid maize and using chemicals but we soon realised the importance of reviving our traditional ways of farming. We changed to Mhunga (Pearl Millet), Rukweza (Finger Millet), Svoboda (Barnyard Millet), Mapfunde (Sorghum) and other indigenous seeds that our ancestors used to grow. We no longer use chemicals or buy seeds from the shops. Farmers are now able to feed their families. People are no longer hungry. Communities are working together again and people are happy. Thank you EarthLore for still working with us and for your encouragement.”
The theme of the fair is Growing our Future, Rooted in our Traditions. It was heartening to see the growing number of youth in attendance. A stunning gymnastics display by school children from Mandadzaka Primary had the crowd on their feet. The strength, stamina, coordination and determination of the children was a delight to behold. The children obviously enjoyed the complicated routines and building human castles in the air.
Children from Mandadzaka Primary School delighted the crowd with their stunning gymnastics display. Photo by Simon De Swardt
Young people are the future and ensuring that they are rooted in their traditions and culture from an early age is vitally important. This is particularly the case in a world that is becoming increasingly disconnected from Nature and many youth are left lost and confused.
After lunch there was an opportunity to view the displays, ask questions, and share and exchange seeds and knowledge. This strengthens the understanding of agroecology and the value of biodiversity. Svoboda (Barnyard Millet) was a key highlight. It had disappeared for 40 years and was thought to be extinct but, in 2016, Baba and Mai Mukondo, an elderly Bikita couple from Mamutse, shared a small packet of Svoboda seeds that Mai Mukondo had kept for many years, showing her understanding of the value of ancestral seeds. Svoboda has made a remarkable comeback and is now widely grown, spreading as far as Venda and Mpumalanga, South Africa.
Ratidzo Mabanga was thrilled when her display won first place at the 2025 Bikita Seed and Food Fair. Photo by Simon De Swardt
The final item on the programme was the announcement of the winning displays. Monica Chaminuka, an Agricultural Business Advisory Officer from the Department of Environment, congratulated the farmers on their displays and the increasing diversity of their seeds. She advised planting small grains and minimum disturbance of the soil to mitigate Bikita’s low rainfall. The crowd was delighted when Monica announced that Ratidzo Mabanga, also known as Mai Ngezi, had come first.
