12 Jan 2023

Seed Co. Botswana in partnership with Wilderness Safaris has donated white maize seeds worth about P98 000 to farmers in the Okavango region.

The seeds were handed to farmers of Okavango Community Trust Villages of Seronga, Gunotsoga, Eretsha, Beetsha and Gudigwa.

The donation is part of Seed Co.'s efforts of encouraging farmers to plough white maize so as to control recent price increase of maize meal and samp.

Seed Co. Sales and Agronomy Manager Mr Dialwa Kenatshele shared an interview with BOPA on January 10 that currently prices of maize and samp were steadily rising.

He noted that white maize varieties they donated, which included SC 303 and SC 403 took less than 100 days to mature.

“The above mentioned varieties would definitely aid local maize meal and samp producers with suitable raw materials to fast-track local production, and evade banking on already expensive imports of the same foodstuffs,” he said.

Given that farmers in the area were troubled by elephants, which often destroyed their field crops, he said it was ideal for Seed Co. to make such a donation as the variety took three months to harvest so as to prevent human-wildlife conflict.
Mr Kenatshele said Seed Co. had varieties ranging from SC 419, 555 and 719 which were resistant to harsh weather conditions citing drought and extreme heat, adding that such varieties were known for high yields.

Furthermore, he hinted that Seed Co. had also yellow maize varieties including SC 506, 522, 524, 616, 649, 719, 727, and 729 which were of high yield and good taste as well as being resistant to diseases.

Meanwhile, Mr Kenatshele advocated for cultivation of small grains such as sorghum, cowpeas, sugar beans for the betterment of people’s lives.

“We have even increased production of the small grains to alleviate seed and food shortages for the people of Botswana,” he said.

Mr Kenatshele said with 22 years of experience in Botswana, Seed Co. breeders was committed to producing and identifying varieties that could improve the livelihoods of farmers.

He implored farmers to complement breeders’ efforts by increasing productivity to ensure that the country attained food self-sufficiency and security.

The sales and agronomy manager said the listed varieties were available in all BAMB and Seed Co. authorised dealers country-wide.

Meanwhile, Seed Co. Botswana Managing Director Mr Samson Ruwisi pleaded with farmers to work closely with Seed Co. agronomist and agricultural extension officers to learn about the agricultural practices and right seed selection.

Mr Ruwisi said Seed Co. was committed to ensuring that the right kind of support was given to farmers as they prioritised the need to rebuild Botswana food reserves, generate exportable commodities and, thus, help alleviate poverty and malnutrition. Ends