(HERALD) Work on increasing yields, farmers told

COMMENT - Other than the very uncool accompanying photograph, SC637 is one of Seed Co's high yield varieties:

"In the 600 series, the new SC637 is a high yielder and can be grown in natural region II B, with a potential output of 12t/ha plus good tip cover producing a very white meal and good disease resistance. "

I am not in favour of these potentially genetically modified super yielding seeds. The best way to increase productivity, is to increase the land that is under permanent irrigation. Which doesn't only allow for only bigger yields, but multiple harvests from the same land, and secures a yield in times of drought. Drought is the biggest obstacle to food security in Zimbabwe, whether it was the 2000s or the 1990s.

Work on increasing yields, farmers told
Friday, 23 March 2012 00:00
Agriculture Reporter

Farmers should concentrate on increasing yields per unit area if Zimbabwe is to attain food security and retain its breadbasket status, Masho-naland West Governor and Resident Minister Faber Chidarikire said yesterday.

Officiating at a Seed Co field day at Kadoma Research Station, Governor Chidarikire said he was concerned that productivity on farms was dwindling. He said local seed houses were coming up with high yield varieties but productivity continued on a downward trend.

“For instance we have heard that the SC637, which is grown in some parts of this province and elsewhere has yielded 17,5 tonnes per hectare at ART Farm.

However, despite the potential yield inherent in these varieties, the majority of our farmers continue to produce less than a tonne per hectare.

“It is mandatory that we push our average yields to over two tonnes per hectare so that we deliver 3,4 million tonnes of maize into our granaries,” he said.
Governor Chidarikire urged farmers to continue learning new skills and boost productivity.

“I challenge farmers to put the seed technology being produced here to good use by ensuring that we produce to the maximum potential to make farming much more exciting and ensure food security, sustainability and improved cash income.”

Seed Co managing director, Mr Denias Zaranyika, said field days were important to both Seed Co and farmers because they offered a platform to share experiences.
He said this kind of interaction improved farming operations as well as giving pointers to Seed Co researchers and breeders.

Mr Zaranyika said Seed Co’s team of researchers was in the process of breeding an ultra-early maize hybrid than the currently available early maturing hybrids.
The field day was attended by farmers from Masvingo, Mashonaland West, students from agricultural colleges and Agritex officers.