Zambia Daily Mail
MONICA KAYOMBO, Lusaka
THE House of Chief has moved a motion urging Government to establish seed banks in all the provinces to preserve indigenous seeds and livestock which are seemingly being gradually replaced by genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This came to light yesterday during the official opening of the sixth House of Chiefs meeting where a number of issues, including succession disputes in Mwanachingwala and Chibesakunda chiefdoms, were deliberated. The motion, which was moved by Chief Mumbi and seconded by Chief Choongo, is meant to compel Government to come up with a policy to protect indigenous seed and livestock. Chief Mumbi said GMOs have negative side-effects on human beings and are only good for business. He said if traditional leaders sit back to watch GMOs flood the Zambian market, even if there is no policy to support this, they would have themselves to blame. Chief Choongo, too, is worried that the country has been receiving a lot of GMO seeds and livestock when there is no policy to allow such. “The indigenous seeds are slowly being replaced by hybrid seeds and livestock. You can go ahead and debate the motion,” House of Chief chairperson Senior Chief Nkula said. He said as far as he is concerned, there is no policy by Government to permit GMOs in the country. Chief Madzimawe said although he is not sure of what the response by Government will be, traditional leaders should take the lead to address the challenge. He said during traditional ceremonies, most of the indigenous seeds and livestock are displayed, adding that mobilisation can start from the chiefdom level.
“We should indicate what we are doing as traditional leaders. We should show the government how serious we are,” he said.
Chief Madzimawe implored his colleagues to provide leadership by encouraging their subjects to use indigenous seeds and livestock. He said it is also important to engage local seed companies on the need to embrace indigenous seeds. Chief Mkamba said there is need to undertake research on the advantages and disadvantages of promoting the use of indigenous seed.
A writer, Bubile Shonga, also took the opportunity to present a book entitled: Khwima’s ABC on body safety. She implored chiefs to do away with some retrogressive traditions and customs. Justice Shonga said traditional leaders have a critical role to promote and encourage culture and traditions that help to eliminate sexual and gender-based violence. She said most chiefs bar parents or elderly people from discussing certain issues with their teenage children, which perpetuates the vices.
Justice Shonga implored the House of Chiefs to help her raise funds to allow for the translation of the book in different languages. Chief Shakumbila and Chief Madzimawe said they are ready to collaborate with Justice Shonga to sensitise youth on the importance of body safety. Senior Chief Ishindi, of the Lunda, offered to help translate the book in Lunda. The chiefs will continue convening until Friday, November 4.
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