New technology to cut costs for maize farmers
For many years, farmers have grappled with rising costs of hybrid maize seeds. However, they can now access cheaper hybrid maize seeds, thanks to a new technology developed by the Kenya Agriculture Research and Livestock Organisation (Kalro).
The technology dubbed ‘Seed Production Technology for Africa’ (SPTA) eliminates the need for detasseling manually, a highly intensive and time-consuming process that accounts for 40 to 60 per cent increase in cost of hybrid maize seeds.
The technology also guarantees farmers improved yields.
Detasseling is the process of manually removing the tassel (pollen-producing flowers) from the top of the maize plant to prevent it from pollinating itself.
Maize hybrid seed producers have been preventing self-fertilisation through manual detasseling, ending up transferring the cost to farmers.
According to Dr Masinde Wanyama, the principal lead researcher, the technology utilises a dominant non-pollen producing maize gene, Ms44, to produce female parent plants that are unable to produce pollen; hence need not to be detasseled during hybrid seed production process.
“With the gene, the tassel of the female plant will not be able to produce pollen. This means that the silk of the female plants will only be fertilised with pollen from desired male plant variety,” states Dr Wanyama.
He adds that the technology will be presented to local seed companies on a royalty-free basis.
“That means labour costs of detassiling are saved for the benefit of the farmer. Generally, the cost of producing will reduce by 40 to 60 per cent depending on the maize variety,” he notes.
Karlo Director General Eliud Kireger explained that through collaborative research undertaken by the organisation and its partners, the project has developed five hybrids. Three hybrids, one early maturing variety (CHKE21W001) and two medium maturing varieties (CHKM21W002 and CHKM21W003) have already been recommended for release by Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (Kephis).
Read more: https://nation.africa/kenya/health/new-technology-to-cut-costs-for-maize-farmers-4584198
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