By Zachary Gava
Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe’s indigenous seeds, traditional foods and diverse food cultures will take centre stage at the National Food Festival which will be held on the 18th and 19th September 2026 at the Botanical Gardens in Harare.
The festival, organized by the Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Zimbabwe, will be held under the theme, “It’s Our Life: Safeguarding Indigenous Seeds and Food Diversity.”
The two-day event is expected to bring together Government representatives, smallholder farmers, civil society organizations, embassies, academics, researchers, private-sector players, and development partners.
The festival will provide a platform for stakeholders to share knowledge and discuss ways to strengthen farmer-led seed and food systems, while promoting the preservation of Zimbabwe’s indigenous seeds and traditional foods.
PELUM Zimbabwe said the event seeks to raise awareness as regards the importance of traditional seeds and foods while encouraging a shift in attitudes towards Zimbabwe’s indigenous food heritage.
The festival will also showcase the country’s diverse local food cultures and create an opportunity for policymakers, food culture stakeholders and communities to engage on issues surrounding the preservation of the country’s seed and food heritage.
The National Food Festival forms part of broader efforts to promote the recognition and preservation of indigenous agricultural resources and traditional food systems, particularly those sustained by smallholder farming communities.
By bringing together stakeholders from the agricultural, research, civil society, government, and private sectors, the event is expected to facilitate dialogue and knowledge exchange on the role of indigenous seeds and food diversity in Zimbabwe’s food systems.
New Ziana
