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Brenda Ziga, Harare Bureau
Government has lauded seed companies for producing adequate maize seed to ensure national food security.
Officiating at the launch of Zadzamatura-Dekalb Maize Seed and Monsanto Agro-chemical products at a field day held at Fairview Farm in Mazowe District last Friday, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Deputy Minister (Crops and Irrigation) Davis Marapira, said 80 percent of the farmers were relying on certified seed from local seed companies.
Let me start by mentioning that on average 80 percent of Zimbabwean farmers plant their crops using seed sourced from the formal seed system.
“Let me also mention that our seed producers have been supplying adequate seed quantities for soyabeans, wheat sugarbeans, groundnuts and other crops. Seed security therefore becomes an important element of food security,” he said.
Deputy Minister Marapira said the Ministry recognised the role seed and agro-chemical companies played in agricultural development in the country.
“Focus is currently on a number of agricultural development programmes key among these are improving research and extension on high yielding, drought and heat tolerant crop varieties, increased mechanisation and development, farmer training and skills development as well as strengthening the agro dealer network,” he said.
He said the programmes were meant to sustainably increase agricultural production, which was central to harnessing agriculture in line with the 10 point plan for economic growth. “Zimbabwe is aiming at producing adequate food for its population and enough raw materials to service the manufacturing sector.
“Achievement of Food Security Nutrition goals under Zim-Asset requires farmers to work hand in hand with established value chain actors such as the seed and agro-chemical companies. This is meant to increase agricultural production as well as have access to profitable markets,” he said.
He said Zadzamatura Dekalb Seeds had introduced a maize seed variety that would increase farmer productivity. “In supporting government, Zadzamatura Dekalb Seeds has introduced a maize seed processing plant in Mt Hampden with a capacity to produce 10,000 tonnes of seed per annum by 2016,” he said.
Zadzamatura Dekalb Seed chairperson, Pamela Chitenhe, said food security was of great concern to the government and to people in general.
“As Zadzamatura, we’ve realised that food security in the country is of great concern and we also want to play a role in ensuring food security in the country that is why we came up with drought resistant and early maturing seed,” she said.
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