BY TIYANDZA SIBANYONI
MBABANE – Ka Langa seed showcase was a major attraction for local farmers in the area who came out in droves to attend the event. The showcase was hosted at the Ka Langa RDA offices and was aimed at promoting the use of indigenous seeds in sustainable agriculture practices.
Farmers were encouraged to store their indigenous seeds in the storage facility that has been designed to store the seeds under favorable conditions. The facility provides a conducive environment for the seeds to germinate and grow, making it easier for farmers to produce crops that are adaptable to climate change.
According to the post on COSPE official page on Facebook, one of the highlights of the showcase was the display of different indigenous seeds such as Tindlubu, Tinhlumaya, emabele imbuya, jugo beans, coffee, and ligusha seeds. The local farmers were excited to learn more about the seeds and how to incorporate them into their farming practices.
The Ka Langa seed showcase was not just about the display of indigenous seeds; it was about promoting sustainable agriculture practices as well. Local farmer, Make Mziyako from the Langa Community led the conversation around the importance of using sustainable agriculture practices to produce crops that are adaptable to climate change.
To drive home the message of sustainable agriculture practices, the Ministry of Agriculture Eswatini had home economics officers prepare indigenous meals. The meals were made using traditional vegetables that are easy to grow in back gardens and cost-effective. Demonstrations plants such as umsobo, and imbuya were prime examples of traditional wild vegetables that are commonly overlooked, but extremely delicious and nutritious.
The event was a huge success as it helped to raise awareness about the benefits of using indigenous seeds and sustainable agriculture practices. The farmers left the event feeling empowered to make positive changes in their farming practices, and many expressed their intention to make use of the storage facility to store their indigenous seeds. With events like the Ka Langa seed showcase, the future of agriculture in the area looks bright.
(Courtesy Pics of COSPE-Swaziland)
