1. INTRODUCTION  CTDT has more than 10yrs experience in community based on farm seed systems  Current activities cover 10 districts of Zimbabwe (Tsholotsho, Chiredzi, UMP, Chegutu, Goromonzi, Seke, Nyanga, Murewa, Mudzi, Mtoko)  Both farmer saved seed and improved seed from the formal sector has been distributed through seed bulking/ multiplication programmes

2.  Enable the conservation of different plant genetic resources within the local communities so as to safeguard against genetic erosion.  Act as a strategic seed reserve at community level in case of genetic loss due to natural disasters such as droughts, floods, diseases, etc.  Create a link between the communities and national gene bank for easy access to genetic materials: farmers can retrieve lost genetic material from the National Reserve  Serve as a platform for knowledge exchange and trade of planting materials by farmers within rural communities  Seed banks are strategically placed in the management of Changing Climatic Environments

3. CROPSAccessions in 3 Seed banks Maize95 Sorghum350 Pearl millet270 Cowpeas550 Ground nuts127 Indigenous vegetables190 TOTAL ACCESSIONS1582

4. YearCropSeed produced (tons) 2000 ( Seed Co/ICRISAT/CTDT)Pearl millet140 2001 ( Seed Co/ICRISAT/CTDT)Pearl Millet55 2002( Seed Co/ICRISAT/CTDT)Pearl Millet90 2003( Seed Co/ICRISAT/CTDT)Pearl Millet300 2004 (Agri-seeds/CTDT)Pearl Millet150 2005 (Agri-seeds/CTDT)Pearl Millet95 2006 (Agri-seeds/CTDT)Pearl Millet55 2007 (Agri-seeds/CTDT)Pearl Millet67 2008 (Agri-seeds/CTDT)Pearl Millet58 2009 (Agri-seeds/CTDT)Pearl Millet32

5. DistrictMaize seed (MT) Cowpea (MT) Sorghum (MT) Groundnuts (MT) Total Beneficiaries Mrehwa45 (Hybrid)31-4500 Mutoko40 (Hybrid)31-4000 UMP25 (Hybrid)21-2500 UMP45.5 (OPV)-1-4550 Mudzi35(OPV)325207500 Chiredzi40 (OPV)310-4000 Seke79.4 (OPV)---5294

6.  Vegetable seeds are distributed during Dry Winter Months to vulnerable households.  Among communities, cultivation of leafy vegetables in wetland areas is common soon after the end of rain-fed agriculture.  During the winter period (April to July 2009) CTDT distributed 2000 nutritional kits with eight different vegetables (rape, beans, carrots, butternut, tomato, onion, cabbage & squash).  NB- there is need to initiate vegetable seed production programmes at community level.

7.  Facilitate the establishment of community based seed production associations (groups).  Decentralize seed production requirements by crop type and quantities to Provinces.  Promote inter-provincial seed trade centres  Enhance engagement of farmers into contract seed production through an agri-business approach.