Grow Sirdamaize 113 maize seed for food security

SCIENTIFIC Industrial Research and Development Centre (SIRDC), through its commercial entity, Zimbabwe Technological Solutions (ZTS) Private Limited, has developed Sirdamaize 113, a drought tolerant, short season and high yielding Certified Hybrid Maize Seed.

ZTS Seeds is a strategic business unit (SBU) which was formed in 2012 to facilitate the effective commercialization of drought tolerant hybrid maize seeds - Sirdamaize 113, 115, 117 and 119 and any other crop varieties developed by SIRDC scientists within Zimbabwe and beyond.

It is also set to commercialize seeds for such crops as sorghum, sugar beans, millets and groundnuts. ZTS Seeds’ broad strategy is to support food security through supplying appropriate seed and generate revenue through effective distribution within Zimbabwe’s farming community and beyond.

We have maintained a strong market share among communal and commercial farmers from years of intensive investment in Research & Development.

The Sirdamaize Breeding programme was initiated in 1997 and successful registration of SIRDAMAIZE 113 was done in 2009.

It is well adapted to climate change and has stood the test of the vagaries of climate change. SIRDAMAIZE 113 has proven its drought tolerance properties since its market launch in 2012.

Partners in the development and promotion of the seed include, AFC Commercial Bank (formerly Agribank), Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA), The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Department of Research and Specialist Services (DR&SS), Agricultural, Technical and Extension Services (AGRITEX) and Contracted farmers.

Most importantly, Sirdamaize was locally researched and developed hence assuring farmers high yields.

SIRDAMAIZE 113 is characterized by the following features:

·Drought tolerance and the ability to mature in areas/seasons with limited rainfall ◆ Under drought conditions, it has a signif

icant yield advantage over other hybrids. ◆ Can be grown throughout the country,

including in low-rainfall areas. ◆ Tolerance to Maize Streak Virus, Grey Leaf Spot, Maize Leaf Rust and Phaeospharia Leaf Spot, has high resilience after pest attack

◆ Developed and researched locally

◆ A short season variety with a maturity date of 136 days that is suitable for Pfumvudza projects.

◆ Under ideal conditions, yields of up to 13

t/ha are attainable.

◆ It produces double to triple cobs, making

it a high yielding variety.

Commercialisation: Government Programs

On the commercialization front, SIRDC’s subsidiary, ZTS, improved seed production over the past three years and is now a regular supplier of seed to both communal and commercial farmers directly and through the Presidential Input/Pfumvudza/Intwasa and Command Agriculture Schemes.

ZTS started participation in the Presidential Input Scheme since 2014 covering all the eight rural provinces of Zimbabwe.

The variety has performed extremely well in all regions, including the low rainfall agro-ecological zones of Zimbabwe such as Masvingo and the Matabeleland Provinces.

Development Partners (Rural Programmes)

Adding on the commercialisation front, ZTS supplied certified maize seed to farmers through SIRDC’S development partnerships which are;

•Korea-Africa Food and Agriculture

Cooperation Initiative (KAFACI)

•Korea Programme on International Agriculture (KOPIA) Corporate Schemes

•Lafarge-Murewa Community Development Program

Corporates

Zimbabwe Technological Solutions (ZTS) Private Limited has engaged and supplied several corporates through an employee scheme to facilitate SIRDAMAIZE 113 sales and distribution.

These include Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT), SIRDC, Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU), Telone and Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC). ZTS is continuously developing its business and looking forward to engage as many reliable corporates as possible.

In store Distributors Sirdamaize 113 is available at Farm & City, Gains Cash and Carry Pvt Ltd, Metro Peech

Hardware, Kudzanai Supermarket (Shumba Murambinda) among other distributors. Performance Testimonials

The variety has performed extremely well in all regions, including the low rainfall agro-ecological zones of Zimbabwe such as Masvingo and the Matabeleland Provinces.

This hybrid seed maize has performed very well across Zimbabwe. We have received success testimonials from farmers in such places as:

Plumtree Buhera Mutoko Mudzi Bubi

Mt Darwin Chivhu Gokwe Sanyati Lupane

Guruve Bindura Hwedza Bikita Chivi

Chinhoyi Mazowe Gutu Lower Gwelo Victoria Falls

Sanyati Muzarabani Zaka Kadoma Shamva

Sirdamaize 113 is a tough maize seed for tough conditions and will guarantee you food security under the threat of climate change. Grow Sirdamaize 113 and beat hunger!