Seed Co launches ‘smart’ maize seed

Seed Co Limited, a public listed seed company incorporated in Zimbabwe, has come up with a new maize seed variety for the 2015/16 farming season to suit different soil types in view of climate change.
 

Company market development manager Brian Mhango said the new varieties will assist small-scale farmers in the country adapt to the climate pattern and in turn boost productivity.
 

During the just-ended Southern Tourism and Agricultural Show, Mr Mhango said in light of the previous poor crop harvest in the last farming season, Seed Co has introduced SC647 which quickly matures and is drought resistant.
 

“Even in the event of drought or if there is insufficient rain, the plants can still survive and a farmer can get the desired results,” he said.
 

Mr Mhango said the seed is responsive in terms of drought as well as diseases assuring the farmers a good crop yield.
 

He said the newly-introduced seed type will contribute to the country’s food security which will in turn reduce poverty in the country.
 

The seed company has been working with Government by providing the same seed under the Fertiliser Input Support Programme.
 

On capacity to fulfil the demand, Mr Mhango said the company has a processing factory that can produce 300 tonnes of seed per day meet the country’s demand and exports to the Southern Africa Development Countries region.