admindeputised by Seed Co Zimbabwe managing director Mr Dennis Zaranyika.
The changes were announced at the organisation’s annual general meeting that was held on October 13.
Mr Chigodora takes over from Mr Temba Nkatazo, the managing director of Pannar Seeds.
The ZSTA is the umbrella representative of the seed industry, dealing with all issues that affect the industry.
Speaking at the AGM outgoing chairman Mr Nkatazo highlighted the recovery in seed maize production which will see the demand for maize seed being adequately met this season.
He commended Government in providing an agricultural inputs programme for vulnerable farmers again for this coming season, but advised the rest of the farmers to purchase their requirements from their traditional suppliers.
“For many years, farmers have failed to achieve potential yields due to late land preparation, late procurement of inputs resulting in late planting.
“These delays have been compounded by the unusually long mid-season droughts that have been experienced in the past two summer seasons which have eroded potential output,” he said.
Mr Nkatazo added that Zimbabwe is expected and should be able to produce enough food this season, hence should not rely on imports in the future.
New chairman Mr Chigodora said seed harmonisation was a matter that had been prolonged, and needed to be finalised to link seed production across SADC countries, and urged the ZSTA to continually contribute to that dialogue.
“Genetic modification is a current development in improving crop production, but this is a controversial subject, which needs to be discussed openly, to ensure that there are no unacceptable adverse risks.
“In some crops, like cotton, we are falling behind regional and world advances, and cost savings are being lost, making some of Zimbabwe’s products expensive”, he said.
The new chairman has research and new variety release procedures on the agenda, explaining that an improved seed maize variety can take from eight to twelve years for development. Farmers are not able to benefit from improved varieties until release and sufficient production have been completed.
“We need to streamline the release procedure, without compromising product improvements,” he said.
Mr Chigodora said another area that needed the attention of the ZSTA was the marketing of small grains, pulses and oil seeds, which was currently highly erratic.
“Quality, improved seeds are available from seed houses, but not easily accessible to the rural farmer.
“Such farmers are precluded from benefiting from using the best seeds available.
“They continue to re-cycle the genetic materials they retain, thereby loosing genetic purity, exposing diseases and ultimately failing to achieve the yield potential of the crop. Furthermore, markets are needed to enable farmers to sell these crops,” he said.
Online Reporter