Farmers relief as newest maize variety released

Arusha. A hybrid maize seed with proven high yields and resistant to the devastating maize lethal necrosis disease (MLND) has been released to the market.

DK777, which is also tolerant to drought, can yield between 40 and 44 bags of maize per acre, which agricultural experts say only a few hybrids can match it.

“This is an innovative product to further improve farmers’ yields and livelihood,” said Mr Frank Wenga, the country manager of the US-based agricultural and agro-chemical giant, Monsanto, during the official launch here on Thursday.

The release of the seeds to the farmers follows successful trials in various parts of the country in which DK777 proved to beyond doubt its adaptability in various ecological zones. In February this year, the ministry of Agriculture approved the release, bringing to four, the Dekalb brand hybrid seeds distributed by Monsanto in Tanzania. The others are DK8031,DKC90-38 and DKC80-53.

According to him, the first successful trials and subsequent launch took place in Kenya in 2016 followed by similar launches in Zambia and Malawi.

“It has performed extremely well due to its high tolerance to MLND, which has caused massive losses to farmers,” Mr Wenga said. The disease, which was detected in the country’s northern regions in 2013 and in Kenya a year earlier, can wipe out a maize field by 100 per cent.

Despite concerted efforts to eliminate it-- spearheaded by the agricultural research centres--the viral disease is still considered a threat to the country’s food basket, maize being the main staple food.

Monsanto, which has been in the country since 2004, will participate in the coming Nane Nane agricultural exhibition, which will take place in seven locations where farmers can visit their pavilions and lean more about the new product.

During the exhibitions in Arusha, Songea, Mbeya, Dodoma, Morogoro, Mwanza and Simiyu early next month, the maize farmers will be given free seeds to try out on their small plots. Gracing the launch at the Selian Agricultural Research Institute’s (Sari) grounds, the executive director of the Tanzania Seed Traders Association, Mr Bob Shuma, urged farmers to avoid being duped by unlicensed firms.