Climate smart seed varieties released

Fildah Gwati-Agriculture Reporter

Part of efforts to cope with climate change requires new crop varieties and the Government has now assessed and allowed public and private breeders to release climate-smart seed varieties which are designed to withstand the challenges posed by the threat, thereby climate-proofing agriculture.

This follows prediction of the El Nino weather pattern that will cause most areas in the country to record normal to below normal rainfall this season.

Speaking at a meeting on proposals and release of climate-smart seed varieties by the variety release committee yesterday in Harare, Department of Agricultural Research and Innovation Development chief director Dr Dumisani Kutywayo said the variety release panel had assessed the readiness of materials being brought in by breeders for release for cultivation, and these innovations were meant to ensure food and nutrition security. 

“We have seed companies that developed seed varieties which have been approved for registration and are going to be added to the available varieties for farmers to choose from as they seek to produce higher and good quality yields for food security,” he said.

The introduction of locally developed seed varieties, such as interspecific hybrids contributed to import substitution. 

“The release of some interspecific seed hybrids for the first time in Zimbabwe will go a long way in terms of import substitution as the country is currently importing expensive cotton hybrids that are being grown by some farmers. This involves expenditure of foreign currency which will be avoided with use of local varieties,” added Dr Kutywayo.

A total of 18 climate smart varieties have been bred by breeders, seven of them by Government seed breeders. The seed varieties which were approved include maize, sorghum, millets, rice, soyabeans, sunflower and cotton, among others.

The variety release panel meeting witnessed the participation of both public and private sector representatives, which included seed companies like SeedCo, Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (SIRDC) and University of Zimbabwe (UZ) in collaboration with Vaka Nyika Company.

“The releasing of new rice varieties by SIRDC seeks to reduce dependence on rice imports and allows the country to produce the crop particularly in low-lying areas where rice cultivation is feasible. This move aligns with the Government’s goal of transforming the food system and meeting consumer needs through local production,” he explained.

In response to these advancements, Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union economist Mrs Nyasha Taderera voiced her support on the new seed varieties introduced and encouraged farmers to embrace them as they adapt to the changing climate conditions and enhance agricultural productivity.

“I recommend farmers to adopt the new traits of seed varieties. In the case of drought tolerance, the three series variety on maize such as SC305 named the ultra-early maturity is drought tolerant and matures early. And it has been highlighted that it will be a solution to the problems faced by farmers in crop production and increase yield, food and nutrition security,” she said.