Sundaymail Editor
Online Reporter
The development of disease-resistant vegetable seeds in the country by Seed Co Limited will drive expansion of the local horticulture sector.
Speaking at a recent field day at the company’s Harare Product Development Centre, See Co Vegetables managing director Mrs Felistus Gurajena said the company was developing hybrid seeds that are resistant to many crop diseases.
“Seed Co Vegetables is a growing brand, which focuses on upgrading old seed varieties in order to develop new brands that are resistant to diseases,” she said.
“Zimbabwe has been lacking knowledge for a long time about which seeds are good for a particular kind of soil and what chemicals to spray.
“After observing what they were doing wrong, now they are improving.
“This is why we are seeing more farmers across the country practicing horticulture.”
Seed Co sales and marketing manager (vegetable division) Ms Beauty Magiya said: “I encourage everyone to do horticulture, which brings income over a small period of time.
“Horticulture brings results in a short period of time and on a small piece of land.”
Manicaland-based farmer Mrs Tendai Chipiro called on Seed Co to host more field days for farmers involved in horticulture.
“I am happy we have a field day, which I wish can be held more often,” she said.
“This is so that farmers gain knowledge and know where to go when they need help.
“Lack of resources to buy inputs has been a challenge that has forced a lot of us as farmers to produce way lower than we can.”
Online Reporter