Cereal Banks can Contribute to Food Security

Crop productionSocial issues

Notes to broadcasters

The establishment of a cereal bank is one possible response to the quest for food security. It involves a sharing of resources and is one way for people to help one another in times of need. A cereal bank is a community-based institution run by a village or a group of villages. It can function in several different ways, depending on the requirements of the community. Generally, the bank stores grain and supplies it to people at times when it is most needed. In recent years cereal banks have become popular in the Sahel – with varying results.

One type of cereal bank is a funeral maize bank. In this scheme each household contributes a certain amount of maize to the maize bank every year. The contributing households can then receive maize from the bank if and when they have a funeral. Households that have not contributed to the bank are not eligible to make withdrawals, which is a drawback to this scheme. For more information please see the resources at the end of this script.

The following script describes a traditional practice from Zimbabwe called “zunde ramambo.” It is a communal method of growing and storing grain for use when food supplies are low. Traditional knowledge and customs offer useful and creative ways of solving some of the problems that result from illness and labour shortages resulting from HIV and AIDS.

Script

INTRO. MUSIC.

Narrator:
Today there are many people in our community who are sick. There are fewer people to help with the farming. Parents have trouble feeding their children. Today’s program is about an old village tradition that is helping people cope and survive.

FADE OUT MUSIC.

Narrator:
There is a tradition in the country of Zimbabwe called ‘zunde ramambo.’ In this tradition, the village chief sets aside a plot of land. The plot itself is called ‘zunde ramambo,’ which means ‘the chief’s granary.’

People from the village work the plot together, growing grain and other crops. After the crops are harvested, they are stored in a special granary under the care of the traditional leader in the village.

The stored grains are distributed to orphans, elderly people, disabled and sick people…and others who are in need. The chief supervises the distribution process. The tradition of ‘zunde ramambo’ is a good way to provide food for those who cannot provide for themselves.

MUSIC (5 seconds).

Narrator:
This method of grain storage is an old tradition, but a useful one. In fact, it was no longer practised in most communities. But some wise chiefs introduced it again to help the suffering in their villages after a drought. The leaders also realized that this practice could help people who are sick, and the orphans and widows in the village.

MUSIC (5 seconds).

Narrator:
Are there any old traditions – ways of growing or storing food – that could help the suffering in our own community? There are many wise people and leaders here too. We should think and ask them about how some of the old traditions can help our people.

FADE OUT MUSIC.

Narrator:
Let’s start a discussion on this topic. I invite you to contact us here at the radio station to share your ideas about useful, local traditions; any ideas that can help us feed and care for our families and neighbours. Let’s talk some more. Until next time, I am ____________.

– END –

Acknowledgements

Information sources