ZARI advocates for sustainable use of local crop varieties

By BENEDICT TEMBO

THE Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI) has called for the conservation and sustainable use of local crop varieties, stressing their importance in strengthening national food systems.

ZARI acting Director Patrick Chikoti said local varieties are naturally drought tolerant and well adapted to the country’s diverse agroecological conditions.

Mr Chikoti was speaking at the Farmer Variety Registration Engagement Workshop in Lusaka during which he urged research institutions, policymakers, farmers, and development partners to collaborate in creating frameworks that recognise and support farmer varieties and locally adapted genetic resources.

The workshop was facilitated by the Community Technology Development Trust (CTDT) in partnership with the Markets and Seeds Access Project, according to the National Agriculture and Information Service.

CTDT Director Charles Nkhoma commended the government for recognising the farmer variety registration system in the proposed Plant Variety and Seeds Bill, under review in parliament.

He said CTDT is working with ZARI and other stakeholders to develop a framework that will formalise farmer variety registration, ensuring that indigenous seeds are preserved and integrated into the country’s agricultural policies.

This initiative is seen as a step toward safeguarding biodiversity, empowering farmers, and building resilience against climate change by promoting the use of locally adapted genetic resources.