New maize brings new hope

IN A move set to boost the country’s crop yields and advance its agriculture, the deputy minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, Bheki Cele, officially introduced new drought-tolerant maize (hybrids) seeds at the Loskop experimental farm in Groblersdal last Wednesday.

Speaking to guests who included scientists and farmers during the launch of the agriculturally smart seeds, Cele said the country faced a challenge, as only 13% of its land was suitable for crop production. He added that low rainfall worsened the situation. Cele said drought led to crop failure, unemployment, hunger and poverty.

“To worsen the situation, climate change is predicted with more variable rainfall and above-average temperatures. These drought-tolerant maize varieties will help our farmers to adapt to climate change and mitigate drought; the introduction of this technology will contribute significantly to the agricultural sector, economically and otherwise,” he said.

The seeds of the drought-tolerant hybrids will be distributed to smallholder farmers across South Africa. Famer representatives and extension officers received 10 000 packets of seed to plant across the country. Cele planted the first of the drought tolerant hybrids at the Loskop experimental farm.

The innovative technology was developed by Water Efficient Maize for Africa which is an international public-private partnership comprising the department of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), the Agricultural Technology Foundation and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre.

ARC group executive, Dr Mohammed Jeenah, said the introduction of the new drought-tolerant maize followed four and a half years of scientists’ hard work and research.