Mugove Walter Nyika is a community development facilitator with a deep passion for building resilience and food sovereignty in African communities. Mugove grew up surrounded by traditional farming practices and the wisdom of his grandparents. This early exposure to sustainable living laid the foundation for his lifelong commitment to empowering communities.
Since the mid-1990s, Mugove has been instrumental in the Schools and Colleges Permaculture (SCOPE) programme, working as the Regional Coordinator for Malawi with reSCOPE. He passionately shares his knowledge and skills with students and communities, encouraging them to adopt sustainable practices that build self-reliance and food security.
Mugove believes that empowering communities to produce their own food is essential for long-term resilience. He works with farmers to implement techniques like rainwater harvesting, organic soil management, and agroforestry, helping them adapt to climate change and become less reliant on external inputs. Recognising the invaluable knowledge held by traditional communities, he actively integrates indigenous practices into his teaching and encourages communities to rediscover and value their own wisdom.
How do you believe the proposed changes to the Zambian seed laws will impact farmers, especially those in remote or marginalised areas?
The proposed changes to seed laws threaten farmers’ rights, particularly their ability to use and share their farm-saved seeds. By failing to recognise farmer seed varieties, these changes could lead to corporate dominance in the seed sector, disproportionately affecting remote and marginalised farmers.
In your opinion, what are the key challenges that Zambian farmers currently face regarding access to seeds, and do you think the proposed changes address these challenges?
Challenges include the lack of recognition for farmer seed varieties and the contamination of traditional seeds. Unfortunately, the proposed changes do not adequately address these critical issues, further limiting farmers’ access to heirloom seeds.
How do you envision the role of local communities and small-scale farmers in shaping agricultural policies, particularly those related to seed laws?
Local communities and small-scale farmers should have a significant say in shaping agricultural policies, including seed laws. Transparent and genuine participation by farmers and civil society organisations is essential, and an independent commission should be established to review seed laws.
Can you share a specific experience or example that highlights the importance of preserving traditional seed varieties in Zambia?
In Zambia’s southern province, there’s a push for maize cultivation despite unsuitable agroecological conditions. This underscores the critical need to preserve traditional seed varieties that are better suited to local environments.
What strategies do you think could be effective in ensuring that the proposed changes lead to positive outcomes for both farmers and the agricultural sector as a whole?
Farmers need stronger organisation through associations to amplify their voices and ensure meaningful participation in the review process of seed laws.
Are there any specific concerns or considerations related to environmental sustainability that you believe should be taken into account in the context of the proposed seed law changes?
The pollution of traditional seeds by hybrid and GMO varieties poses a serious threat to environmental sustainability and the preservation of biodiversity.
How can the government, NGOs, and the private sector collaborate to ensure that these changes promote inclusivity and benefit all stakeholders in the agricultural value chain?
Transparent and inclusive processes for reviewing laws should be established, allowing all stakeholders, including farmers and civil society organisations, to contribute meaningfully.
Are there any success stories or best practices from other regions that you think Zambia can learn from in implementing seed law reforms?
India’s recognition of a wide diversity of traditional seed varieties serves as a model for Zambia, highlighting the importance of acknowledging and preserving indigenous seeds.