By Gift Mashoko

Agriseeds will soon introduce a new seed variety called Zimbabwe Agriseeds Product (ZAP) 73 which they said would be in the market in the next season.

Agriseeds Sales and Marketing Director, Ivan Craig revealed this at a Field Day at Agriseeds Sanhurst Farm in Harare today.

The new variety of seed, said Craig, could give a yield of up to 18 tonnes per hectare. It is a late maturity variety which is drought resistant.

Another new variety on the market was also introduced, the ZAP 611 which is a medium maturity. It is also a nitrogen efficient variety ZAP 611 is rich in nitrogen efficient variety.

Agriseeds has announced that they will soon be introducing orange maize to rural areas as it is rich in vitamin A. However, the orange maize, Craig said, had to be grown with caution as it can impact negatively on the traditional breeds.

Whilst addressing delegates Craig said that Agriseeds would continue to identify farmers whom they would venture into contract farming with in breeding quality seeds.

Craig said the identified farmers would be sponsored with seeds and other necessary inputs. He went on to say their team will move around monitoring production to make sure the output meet the required standards.

He said seed farmers were important as they were the ones who determine quality and quantity of the maize production in Zimbabwe.

Craig went on to say that farmers are free to come and consult them on matters to do with seed production as well as purchasing. He warned farmers against buying seeds from fake seed breeders.