18 Mar 2019

Ministry of Agriculture Development and Food Security (MADFS) says beside seed viability, other factors such as heat spells, moisture deficit have potential to cause crop failure.

In an interview with BOPA, chief agronomist at department of crop production from MADFS Mr Thomas Mogome said the other factor is the occurrence of pests such as francolins, rodents that dig and actually eat seed.

He said this following claims by some ISPAAD beneficiaries that the sorghum distributed during the past ploughing failed to germinate. He however said the ministry has never received any formal report emanating from farmers regarding the above concern.

Mr Mogome said both open pollinated and hybrid seeds were inspected and tested for viability before distribution to farmers during the current 2018/19 ploughing season.

“There are rigorous regulations and measures inplace to ensure that the seed was of the right quality.

The Seed Multiplication Unit (SMU) which works in partnership with Divisions of Plant Protection Agronomy was responsible for such assignment,” said Mr Mogome.

In addition, she said there are other stringent regulations and procedures that are followed before any seed can be certified fit for use as propagation matter and every seed consignment is subjected to specialized scrutiny and investigation for purity, true to typeness and viability.

 Mr Mogome also stated that field inspections are further conducted at the stage of seed production to guarantee that seed is produced under circumstances that are prescribed as appropriate for seed production.

She encouraged farmers to be present at all times during planting times to ensure that everything is done properly to avoid such incidents.

Four companies namely SMU, Zamseed Botswana, Seed Co. Botswana Ltd and Crosscorn supplied government with seeds in the past ploughing season. ENDS