Nqadu Willowvale drought resistant maize trials showing progress

If we can use this maize seed all the time we will be able to have a good harvest period

THE Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) recently conducted a maize field visit at Nqadu Willowvale. The maize fields the officials visited were the ones that used the WEMA-TELA maize product that is resistant to drought.

Ms Ndandani, who is the extension officer in the area, identified farmers that would be given the TELA maize seed to plant.

One of the farmers, who has potential in maize production, Noziphiwo Mgudlwa, was identified to do trials in her home garden.

She has planted different types of maize seeds in the past, which were resistant to the drought.

In December she planted the WEMA-TELA seed, which has not presented any problems in terms of cultivating. ‘’The lack of rain does not worry me as the maize is able to grow without it,’’ Mgudlwa said.

“This is a good product for us maize production farmers and the fertiliser that is used on the maize is 232 fertiliser, and we are hoping that we will have a big harvest this time around as the maize is progressing,” she added.

A farmer identified in the Nqadu area to be involved with trials of the WEMA-TELA maize product, a Mr Magafela, said it was the first time they had planted this maize product.

But they were seeing progress in terms of growth and were hoping for huge yields.

“If we can use this maize seed all the time we will be able to have a good harvest period,” Magafela said.

A delegation of researchers led by Dr Maqubela did a tour of the maize fields and saw first-hand the progress. Farmers were also informed on these walkabouts on how to plant the WEMA-TELA maize.

Representatives from other African countries and provinces were also given time to voice their views about the product, as they had been using it for some time.

They also shared their experience with farmers on how the product had assisted them. WEMA project manager from Nairobi in Kenya, Sylvester Oyike, said they started the project nine years ago to address the drought problem in Africa.

The project is implemented in five countries – Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa.

This is the second phase of the project and for the first time in South Africa, TELA maize seed has been identified as water-tolerant for small-scale farmers. “The maize is protected, that is why it’s able to survive drought,” Oyike said.

Dr Silwana, who was giving the keynote address for the day, said the department was happy to have this product as it would bring much relief to the maize farmers faced with drought in the province.

“Without food families won’t survive and farmers will not have production on their farms,” Silwana said during her address.