Browsing by Author "Mujaju, Claid"

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    Do smallholder farmer-led seed systems have the capacity to supply good-quality, fungal-free sorghum seed?
    (BioMed Central, 2017-12-01) Kusena, Kudzai; Wynberg, Rachel; Mujaju, Claid
    Local seed systems that are developed, managed and maintained by farmers are a fundamental practice in smallholder crop production, supporting more than 80% of farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and feeding more than 70% of its population. The resilience of such systems is under threat from poverty, climate change, drought, increased pests and diseases, over-promotion of modern crop varieties, change of lifestyles and restrictive seed policies. The system continues to be maligned as having inferior quality, yet few studies support this assertion. This study aims to fll this research gap by evaluating 60 sorghum seed samples collected from smallholder farmers in Uzumba-MarambaPfungwe and Chimanimani districts of Zimbabwe. We investigated the efect of farmer-led seed management practices (e.g. seed acquisition and seed storage practices) on farm-derived sorghum seed quality (moisture, germination and fungal incidences). We found farmers using diverse seed sources and seed storage practices. Seeds were typically of good quality in that their storage moisture content was low, their germination was high, and fungal incidences were low. Seed sourced from local markets, non-governmental organizations and other farmers had germination and moisture standards that met the sorghum certifcation standards in Zimbabwe. However, few samples obtained from the relatives and government failed to meet the germination and/or moisture certifcation standards. We detected low incidences of fungi (Aspergillus favus, Aspergillus niger, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium sp. and Penicillium sp.) in sorghum seed samples tested and in particular Fusarium sp., which is the most economic important fungus in sorghum production. We conclude that farmer-led seed systems have the capacity to supply seeds of good quality and recommend that such systems should be recognized and promoted to meet the ever-evolving needs of smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa.
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    Species limits in Cannomois virgata complex (Restionaceae)
    (2000) Mujaju, Claid; Linder, Peter
    The variation in the nut morphology, floral and inflorescence morphology, culm morphology and culm anatomy of the Cannomois virgata complex are described. It is shown that this variation is best expressed by recognising three main clusters: the NW-Swartberg, aledonLangeberg and Coastal. The existence of these clusters was largely influenced by the size of the nuts, bracts, perianths and hollow cavity to culm diameter ratio. These traits were congruent with the overall morphometric variation, shown by the results of the phonetic analysis. The clusters correspond to three species proposed under the operational definition, which recognises species from differentiated clusters in phenetic space whose distinctness was assumed to be the manifestation of underlying fixed and qualitative differences following speciation. These units were considered appropriate as terminals for phylogenetic reconstruction. Empirical comparison of six prevailing species concepts was made by taking advantage of a common operational exigency i.e., the use of phenotypically irreducible clusters of individuals as first order estimates of species. Also, diagnostic characters were found in each of the clusters indicating the existence ofa species complex, rather than a single taxon. I therefore propose that the name Cannomois virgata (Rottb.) Steud. be restricted to the individuals of the Coastal group from which the type was collected. A new species, Cannomois grandis Mujaju, is proposed for the plants belonging to the Caledon-Langeberg group, owing to the giant form exhibited by these plants which are 2 to 3.5 metres tall. The name, Cannomois saundersii Mujaju, was proposed for the NW -Swartberg, in recognition of Mr. Saunders, a seed collector. The distribution of the species were related to the cladogram, suggesting that speciation may have been sympatric for all taxa or somewhat allopatric as shown by the NW -Swartberg taxon which has an overall northern inland distribution within the Cape Floral Region in comparison with the other two.
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    Understanding the resilience of local seed systems: a case study of Uzumba-Maramba Pfungwe and Chimanimani Districts, Zimbabwe
    (2021) Kusena, Kudzai; Wynberg, Rachel; Mujaju, Claid
    Globally, industrial crop production practices are of significant environmental concern, with some studies suggesting that smallholder farming systems could provide a more sustainable alternative. Local seed systems are at the core of smallholder agriculture and, although typically characterised as inefficient, can account for 60-100% of seed materials planted. Such systems are envisaged to remain as dominant seed sources in the foreseeable future, especially in the face of climate change and socio-economic challenges. However, there is a limited understanding of how local seed systems persist in the face of adversities. In this nexus, local seed systems are seen as key areas for enhancing resilience as they have strong links to food security and livelihoods in smallholder farming communities. Based on case studies from Zimbabwe, a country with more than 70% of its population dependent on smallholder agriculture, and a prolonged history of acute economic and ecological challenges, this study examines the concept of resilience in smallholder seed systems. The research aimed to explore interactions between the management of seed by smallholder farmers and social and ecological factors to understand their influence on the resilience of local seed systems. The history of local seed systems in Zimbabwe is explored, as well as the constraints faced by smallholder farmers and the innovations they have developed. The research characterises the activities of smallholder farmers and the quality of seeds circulating in local seed systems and examines how actors and institutions shape such characteristics. Building on critical theoretical debates around social-ecological systems, complex adaptive systems and resilience, an analysis is provided of how local seed systems interact with social and ecological factors, thus developing a conceptual understanding of how resilience is enabled or constrained in these systems. Case studies were selected in the Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe and Chimanimani Districts of Zimbabwe. Using an interdisciplinary research approach, qualitative and quantitative data collection methods were used, including household surveys, key informant interviews, participatory observations, and laboratory experiments. The findings show that history profoundly influences the social and ecological factors affecting local seed systems and informs how smallholder farmers have sustained these systems in the face of adversities. The innovations of smallholder farmers are emphasised alongside the repertoire of seed management options they used to respond to social and ecological adversities. Although traditional cultural practices to sustain local seed systems are waning, other forms of institutional arrangements driven by non-govenmental organisations are emerging, such as seed fairs, field days and community seed banks. These emergent activities have provided new platforms that promote local seed systems. Formal seed systems do not offer such opportunities, as they operate in a rigid, predetermined and highly regulated manner. However, an increased focus on local seed markets may conflict with traditional norms that view seeds as common heritage assets openly exchanged among farmers. A central premise is that local seed systems are shaped by non-linear and complex interactions of nested ecological and social factors. The demonstrated resilience behaviour of these systems challenges the appropriateness of prescriptive and mechanistic interventions such as seed aid. Ten key principles are proposed that characterise the resilience of local seed systems. The thesis emphasises the importance of integrating the principles into policy and practice to advance seed and food security of smallholder farmers.