Monsanto to introduce new maize seed variety

Monsanto Malawi Limited will by the end of this year introduce a new maize seed variety to offer a wide variety to its customers.

Speaking during a field day at Njolomole in Ntcheu, Monsanto Sales Manager responsible for the South, Denis Kachikho, said the company enjoys the relationship which exists with its farmers.

“As a company, our interest is to see farmers planting improved maize seed varieties which can withstand the effects of climate change and these effects include erratic rainfall, drought and prolonged dry spells,” Kachikho said.

He said Mosanto produces improved maize seed varieties that are resistant to pest infestations and are early and medium maturing varieties that produce high yields.

“In view of this, the company continues to strive hard in producing improved maize seed varieties which give high yields, as such the company will by the end of this year introduce DK777 dubbed as Namwali in addition to other existing varieties that are already on the market,” he said.

Kachikho said DK777 can yield 240 bags of maize each weighing 50 kilogrammes per hectare, overriding most of the maize seed varieties produced by the company which yield up to a maximum of 180 bags of maize per hectare.

He further warned farmers against buying maize seed from unscrupulous agro-dealers who sell uncertified maize seed in the name of Monsanto.

“From the next farming season, Monsanto Malawi Limited will be putting security features on all its seed packages so that farmers are not duped by these unscrupulous agro-dealers,” Kachikho said.

One of the farmers, Shira Magaleta, advised fellow farmers to refrain from using local maize seed varieties which she said take long to mature and produce low yield.

“In the advent of scarcity of farming land, it is high time that we got used to planting improved maize seed varieties which produce high yields even from a small piece of land,” Magaleta said.

Monsanto is well known for its popular maize seed varieties such as DKC 80- 33, DKC 81-81 and DKC 90-53 among others.