adminthat the country does not import grain when it has excess seed in stock.
Addressing journalists during a media tour of Seed Co depot in Mt Hampden, Mr Zaranyika said the seed sector had 70 000 tonnes of seed for the 2011/12 farming season, a figure that eclipsed the annual national requirement of between 45 000 and 50 000 tonnes.
Seed Co alone has 45 000 tonnes of seed, while the other seed houses make up the balance.
“Why should the country import grain when there is excess seed in stocks? All we need is to address those factors that are inhibiting agricultural growth and farmers will start producing competitively,” he said.
He said such factors as making inputs available to farmers on time, making cropping plans that included programmes such as liming and crop rotations were crucial in addressing the farmers’ yearly shortcomings in production.
On the issue of inputs, Mr Zaranyika said banks needed to take a very active role in financing farmers to capacitate them to buy seed in time so that they produce enough to fill the national grain reserves.
Mr Zaranyika said timing, which included planning of activities and procurement of inputs was critical in enhancing productivity, while crop management also played an important part in the production chain.
He also challenged farmers to make the right variety choices and stick to correct plant populations, while constantly consulting extension workers for technical assistance.
Mr Zaranyika revealed that Seed Co would continuously conduct research to come up with varieties that had improved disease and drought tolerance with greater adaptive qualities to the current changes in the climate.
“We do a lot of research at our centres that include Rattray Arnold, Kadoma, Mpongwe in Zambia, Stapleford and Kitale in Kenya,” he said.
Online Reporter