Andrew
Emmanuel Kafe
LOCAL seed company, Seed-Co Limited has taken heed of Government’s call to adopt new technology and mechanisms in their operations to enhance maize seed supply capacity for both the local and regional markets.
The US$13 million maize seed conditioning plant, which was commissioned by President Mnangagwa last year, has since started operating at Stapleford, Mt Hampden.
The facility has contributed to a quick turnaround of production, as it complements the country’s efforts of attaining sustainable food sufficiency.
The dryer, whose installation started in 2019, has the ability to double crop per unit area, as well as produce early ensuring harvest crop.
Addressing journalists during a media tour at one of the contracted farms in Chegutu last week, Seed-Co field manager, Mr Nesto Katsande, said the dryer enables farmers to plant and produce crops within a short space of time.
“The artificial maize seed dryer facility has lessened pressure on the part of the farmer, and saves the farmer from loss of maize seed that needs to be taken to the market.
“The farmer can double crop, which is a great advantage and increases productivity,” he said.
Mr Katsande also said the seed maize conditioning plant would also result in a massive turnaround of agriculture in the country.
“The quality of seed maize has improved through elimination of pest challenges as seed maize harvesting can be done at 35 percent moisture content, while the cost of producing seed will be reduced since other processes of harvesting are eliminated,” he said.
The development comes at time Government is investing massively in agricultural activities as the country aims to reduce the import bill on food items.
Seed-Co plant manager, Mr Sean Magama, said the conditioning plant is currently processing maize that was harvested in February.
“We want to try and harness quality and preserve it within the seed, so that the nation gets the highest quality seed ever,” he said.
He also said farmer returns on a single unit of area is also enhanced due to double cropping.
“They also benefit on the cost of production, that is, instead of leaving the crop in the field after physiological maturity for let’s say an excess of two months, we take the seed and dry it in four days,” he said, adding that this will also reduce theft of maize crop.
The agriculture sector continues to increase investments across the agriculture value chain, whose net effect has seen a positive impact on poverty eradication and the improvement in the quality of life of the people.
The group is also looking at increasing the capacity of the artificial seed drying facility in Harare, as well as replicating it in the region.
Online Reporter