Chronicle EditorSydney Mubaiwa in Zaka
Zaka Super Seeds, a village-based company which produces hybrid maize and beans, has ventured into massive small grain hybrid seed production. The move is meant to mitigate against food shortages during drought. This has seen about 700 farmers taking part in small grain production at Fuve-Panganai irrigation scheme under Chief Nhema.
Addressing villagers in Zaka at a field day this week, Zaka District Agritex officer Mr Servious Makumbe appealed to Government to support the seed producers.
“Zimbabwe has an acute shortage of small grain seed, with only 30 percent of the required seed readily available,” he said.
“We are happy that Zaka Super Seed breeders have embarked into this crucial initiative in a bid to curb seed shortages.”
Mr Makumbe expressed confidence that the project would increase seed production through Government’s support.
The seed breeders have over the past five years been producing a remarkable hybrid maize seed known as the Zaka Super.
The pilot project was supported by a Swiss Development Corporation under Government’s economic blueprint — Zim-Asset.
The company has produced more than 2 000 tonnes of hybrid maize and sugar beans seed for the district.
This season, packaging of seed is taking place at Fuve-Panganai Plant.
Since its establishment in 2010, Zaka Super Seeds has exported hybrid seed to countries like Swaziland, Zambia and South Africa.
Seed breeding at Fuve-Panganai is done on 405 hectares that are under irrigation, drawing water from Siya Dam, which divides Bikita and Zaka districts.
Most of the land in Zaka district lies in Natural Regions IV and V that receive poor rainfall patterns, with an average of 450mm per year.
Small grains like millet, rapoko and sorghum are drought tolerant.
Online Reporter