The National Variety Release and Registration Committee of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, has approved and recommended three new WACCI hybrid maize varieties to be released onto the market for cultivation and consumption. The varieties, which are now waiting to be gazetted by the National Seed Council, were developed by the West Africa Centre … Read more
Zimbabwe has banned the import of corn after enjoying a bumper crop that authorities hope will be enough to feed the nation and stimulate home-grown production, state-owned media reported Tuesday. Zimbabwe was once known as the “breadbasket” of Africa for its fertile land and modern farming practices. But a programme of seizing farms from white … Read more
Government’s Planting for Food and Jobs programme has come under scrutiny by industry players a day after it was launched in the Brong Ahafo Region. President Nana Akufo-Addo during the launch of the programme on Wednesday 19 April said about 750,000 jobs would be created, adding that government would construct one warehouse in all 216 … Read more
The Department of Agriculture in the Volta Region has engaged more than 100 unemployed graduates from agricultural institutions as Extension Agents for government’s “Planting for food and jobs,” programme in the Region. The recruits will augment the Extension Officer-Farmer ratio of one is to 2,500 and expected to work closely with farmers in their localities. … Read more
Four varieties of hybrid maize have been introduced to farmers in the Northern Region to boost maize production in the region. The drought-resistant maize varieties, introduced by the Savanna Agriculture Research Institute(SARI) under the auspices of the Center for Scientific Research Institute(CSRI), is expected to help improve the income of rural farmers and food security. … Read more
The United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) says it is concerned that the armyworm outbreak could spread to the whole of southern Africa, threatening crops. So far, seven of the 15 states which make up the regional body Sadc have been affected by the outbreak. The FAO says Zimbabwe might be the hardest hit, … Read more
Peeling back the maize plant’s leaves reveals a small brown caterpillar — an armyworm that writhes as it burrows into the heart of the crop, producing a sticky dark paste. Eighty percent of the Prinsloo family’s maize plants are under attack, as are those of other farmers in Haakdoringboom, a farming community 20 kilometres (12 … Read more
Growing up, I spent time on the farm. I always enjoyed watching the maize seeds we sowed germinate, grow up and actually bear maize fruits. It was fascinating to me how one maize seed produces so much maize. As the youngest child, during the planting season I follow my elder brothers. They use sticks to … Read more