Members of the African Biodiversity Network (ABN) who have participated in The Regional dialogue on Agroecology in Rwanda 2020 organised by GER, urge to put effort in revieving indegenous seeds that are in extinction.

The call was made on Friday January 24th during the closure of three- days activities related to Agroecology between organisations from several countries of Africa and some farmers from Ruhango, Muhanga and Bugesera working with Global Initiative for Environment and Reconciliation (GER) which hosted the events.

Participants of this regional dialogue under the theme �Reconcialing People with Nature� were from South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Togo as well as community farmers, local leaders and Civil Society Organisations.

The Head of Programs at ABN, Simon Mitambo from Kenya has said that there is a need to preserve nature by taking care of indigenous seeds that may get lost while they are of precious role to human health.

�We need to keep indigenous seeds because they have a relationship with our culture. They are not harmful to our lives. They are also good for climate change. The knowledge around them can teach us how to live with one another.� Mitambo said

�We are having problems of Cancer in Kenya nowadays. It has become a routine like every Kenyan going to India is suffering from cancer. This is the results of consuming food from industries. We should not eat just to fill our stomach� Mitambo declared

� We encourage community in Rwanda to keep in mind the indigenous knowledge and seeds. We have agreed up on how we are going to revive all those indigenous we already lost. We have realised that even our traditional songs are lost, we cannot remember them well. Community agreed to bring them back, It will help to improve nutrition. People are very much disconnected with the nature. We don�t understand medicinal herbs for we don�t use them nowadays. We clearly need to remember our connection with things like bees�� Mitambo added

Participants during indigenous seeds fair

He warned people who consume indigenous food in hiding citing they feel like being backwards.

Stephanie Aubin, from South Africa said she was impressed by the way people can make their own pesticide from local herbs instead of using industrial chemicals.

�It was really interesting to learn a new methodology of making pesticide from local herbs. It is an ancient knowledge which was there but a bit hidden, not known to many. I think everybody got interested and excited to share.� Stephanie revealed

Dennis Tabaro Natukunda from Uganda warned community on the use of industrial pesticides.

� The use of industrial pesticides is dangerous to indigenous living things like bees, worms to name a few. When you spray pesticides, you are destroying bees that are agent of pollination. It affects the quality of the food we eat. Putting much effort on indigenous seeds does not affect the productivity quantity. You can produce much and indigenous products got a big market outside there.� He said

Valentino from Tanzania said he learned lot from the dialogue and seed fair by Rwandan farmers. �I learned a lot from all sessions. I always work with the local farmers in Tanzania. I have realised that agriculture in Africa is the same. It is clear that indigenous sees are declining and there is a need of reviving them through consultation of elders for the sake of future generation.�

Colleague from kenya, Karangathi Njoroge Joseph said he learnt that there are people with knowledge regarding indigenous seeds. He added he will be preparing the mixture of food made up of cassavas and beans as a new lesson from Rwanda. �I did not know there are people who are fully aware of indigenous seeds. They expalined to us so much, It is very important for us to communicate this knowledge to the youth.�

Community commitment

Locals who partcipated in the dialogue said they are commited to revive indigenous seeds following the three-day sessions.

Emmanuel Ntamugabumwe, also known as Tebeza said they are going to put much effort in reviving indigenous seeds due to the call made during the exchange of ideas during dialogue.

�I was interested in the dialogue for my love to the nature. I am a member of a local farmers group, Zamuka Muhinzi. The dialogue helped us to go back to our root. We are now commited to revive indigenous seeds is to inroduce nursery for them. We want them back in our community.� He said

One of the participants while explaining to colleagues and guests the use of one the indigenous seed in extinction

On behalf of all community present during the agro ecology, Victoria from Ruhango appreciated the initiative of GER under ABN and vows to revive the indigenous seeds and helping in community knowledge exchange.

�We are very grateful to have this opportunity to attend this dialogue. Thanks to GER and participants from abroad. We have learnt a lot from here from the seed fair we had. We are planning to use a lot of effort to revive indigenous seed as far as their importance is concerned.�

Director of Good Governance in Bugesera District, Magella Sebatware who graced the seed fare appreaciated the activities of Global Initiative for Environment and Reconciliation (GER) thanked the initiative of ABN and promised to work hands in hands with them.

� We are happy to work with you to support this initiative. We have seen many things from here. I asked myself wether our youth are aware of this. We still have a lot to teach them. It is of use for it is related to culture and environment. We also request you to share with youth across the country.�

He thanked participants from different countries of Africa and gave them a worm welcome in Rwanda. He told them that Rwanda has good leadership and policies that support environmental protection. He also thanked H.E Paul Kagame for the vision and good leadership.

Innocent Musore, The Director of GER said that the a very good opportunity to revive the relationship between people and nature as well as bridging the knowledge gap among youth. �Environmental protection is only possible when people are connected with nature; the biodiversity goes with people�s welfare and their culture.� Musore Said.

�Basing on indigenous knowledge found in our culture, it can help us protect environment in a holistic way. We are bringing experience from elders to young people so that we can bridge the knowledge gap. � He added.

Participants of 2020 Regional dialogue on Agroecology in Rwanda organised by GER posing for a group photo at the end of activities.

The Regional dialogue on Agroecology in Rwanda 2020 was organised by Global Initiative for Environment and Reconciliation (GER) Rwanda under the umbrella of African Biodiversity Network (ABN), with the purpose of promoting Agroecology practices embracing socioeconomic and cultural dimensions. The project was funded by the Agroecology Fund.

Photo credit: Aphrodice Nshimiyimana/GER