By JOSIAH MPOFU
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has underscored the need for genetic improvement of various seed varieties.
President Hichilema emphasized that this will help to increase productivity and improve household and national food security.
The President said there is need for seed manufacturing companies to develop high yielding seed varieties which are early maturing, disease and drought tolerant.
“I urge the company to ensure that its seeds are of high yield, early maturity and resistant to drought and diseases. I also encourage the company to increase production in order to meet the local seed demand and enhance export,” said President Hichilema.
He explained that the current maize production of two metric tonnes per hectare instead of 11-12 metric tonnes is not enough for the country’s food basket.
Speaking when he recently officiated at the BAYER ITABA Seed Plant in Kabwe, President Hichilema expressed optimism that the facility will help to attain Zambia’s ambition of becoming the net exporter of different seed varieties.
“I, Thank Bayer for establishing the 35 million US dollar Bayer Seed processing plant in Kabwe, which has become the largest Maize seed producer in Central and Southern Africa. This plant will help Zambia achieve its development agenda as agriculture remains one of the key mainstays of the Country’s economic growth,” President Hichilema explained.
President Hichilema has however urged Zambians to look at agricultural export as a better channel of improving Zambia’s economy.
And BAYER CHIEF Executive officer Bill Anderson said the plant is expected to provide seed varieties to over 6 million smallholder farmers in Zambia.
“This facility is expected to provide seed varieties to over 6 million smallholder farmers who will produce food for over 30 million people,” Mr Anderson indicated.
Mr Anderson noted that his company has invested in Zambia’s seed industry as it has potential to become the seed hub in Southern and Central Africa.
“My organisation wants to make Zambia a hub for seed production for the entire Africa because as it is endowed with favourable climate conditions and fertile land. Bayer has produced various seed varieties for farmers’ accessibility and increase their yields,” Mr Anderson said.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Reuben Mtolo said the establishment of the Seed Plant is a huge milestone in improving Zambia’s seed industry.
Mr Mtolo affirmed that the operation of the facility will help Zambia achieve its mission of producing 10 million metric tonnes of maize, 1 million metric tonnes of wheat and 1 million metric tonnes of Soybeans by the year 2027. –NAIS
