Adopt hybrid varieties, farmers urged

Farmers can benefit and attain sustainable agriculture if they use improved hybrid seed technologies to alleviate the impact of the brutal wave of climate change.

This was said by Syngenta Zimbabwe sales and support manager Mr Moses Kudanga in an interview on Thursday.

Mr Kudanga said farmers should get lessons from the 2018/2019 season which was characterised by late rains across the country to invest in short season and drought tolerant maize varieties, as well as small grains.

“Farmers are being encouraged to invest in small grains and adoption of hybrid drought tolerant seeds as we move to counter the effects of climate change,” he said.

Mr Kudanga said adoption of these varieties will expose farmers to increased yields.
He said previously, most farmers had a negative attitude towards hybrid seed, saying it was expensive, while overlooking the benefits of faster growth and higher yields.

Mr Kudanga said the company will continue to train farmers throughout the country on best farming practices.

He said his firm was looking at becoming a key player in the provision of high quality seeds both locally and internationally.

On challenges, Mr Kudanga said farmers were being exposed to fake seeds by bogus seed dealers, making it difficult to attain high yields.