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By Bindura Bureau
A foreign based maize seed producer is willing to partner the Zimbabwean government by availing its maize seed for distribution under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme, Nhau/Indaba has learnt.
Based in Zambia, ZamSeeds introduced itself on the country’s agricultural landscape last year during the 2021/22 season with its drought resistant seed variety.
It contracted 250 small holder farmers across the country and supplied each with 2kgs of its ZMS 623 maize seed variety.
ZamSeeds Zimbabwe Agronomist, Maxwell Mataka told Nhau/Indaba that their seed variety has the potential to produce at least five tonnes per hectare, and with good rains a minimum of 10 tonnes.
“We came to answer to the government’s call for climate proof varieties that will stand drought temperatures.
“Our plan now is to collaborate with government so that we can be included in the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme in the near future but for this year we will distribute the seed across the country.”
Zimbabwe is in need of maize seed varieties that can stand the test of the changing climate and according to Mataka they have brought the remedy.
He said their seed variety is drought tolerant and will help Zimbabwe retain its continental breadbasket status.
“It will also make sure that families are food secure at household level,” he added.
Mr. Bernard Torevasei, a senior agronomist in the Agriculture ministry in Mashonaland Central has since recommended farmers to go for tested and certified seeds.
One of the first farmers to be contracted by the company, Lazarus Chapendama, a resettled farmer at Grahamsdale Farm (Karara) Shamva recently received an accolade after using the company’s seed variety.
Chapendama told Nhau/Indaba that he was recently honoured with a tractor and its plough by the company in collaboration with Croco Motors after producing over a tonne (22 bags) out of an area covering 50×25 metres. Nhau/Indaba
