By Mike Mataka<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the hybrid seed manufacturing companies, Seed Co group, has asked farmers in the country to embrace new technologies if the country is to be food secure. Speaking at the interface with the seed distributors in Blantyre, Seed Co Commercial Director Gift Kawamba said the climate is changing rapidly and farmers must embrace the use of new agricultural technologies and hybrid seeds<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kawamba said the distributors\u2019 conference was important as it presented first-hand information on the developing issues in the seed market. Kawamba said the company is fighting the influx of fake seed products on the market by among other things working hand in hand with the government to enhance security features on the seed packs, holding sensitization meetings with farmers on the ways they may differentiate fake seeds from certified seeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSeed Co is working to establish coding systems on all the certified seed packs and intensifying awareness to help farmers identify certified seeds on the market,\u201d Kawamba said. One of the participants Chimwemwe Chikatentha who is the Managing Director for Mamsie Agro dealers said the conference has been an eye-opener. \u201cWe are now aware of the new varieties of seeds available on the market, where they can be cultivated, and how the government is planning to handle this year\u2019s Affordable Input Program to benefit farmers\u201d, Chikatentha said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seed Co will hold similar conferences in all regions of Malawi before the commencement of the new growing season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n