FARMERS URGED TO UPSCALE SOYABEAN PRODUCTION

FARMERS in Mansa district in Luapula province have been advised to utilise inputs according to the allocated packs under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).

Speaking during a field day at Farm Training Institute in Mansa whose theme was “improved farmer access to quality seed and inputs through private sector engagement for improved nutrition and generation” and was sponsored by SEEDCO and Syngenta Zambia seed companies.

Mansa District Agricultural Coordinator, Arnold Mui Mui said there is increased demand from buyers for crops such as soya beans and sorghum.

Mr Mui Mui implored farmers to utilise the inputs according to the allocated packs.

“Soya beans production can result into increased income and food security for our farmers; it has higher yield returns than maize,” he stressed.

He encouraged farmers in the next coming season to utilise the information and knowledge they have obtained from the field day.

And Luapula Province, Sales Expert for Syngenta Zambia David Kambole has encouraged farmers to follow agronomic practices and encompass cross rotation. “Farmers need to look out the maize seed SY 6444 for

Medium maturing variety which is currently competing with the late maturing varieties on the market in terms of yield and performance, it has the potential yield of about 13 metric tonnes which translates to 264 bags,” explained Kambole.

He noted that farmers have to ensure they plant on time, manage the weed and apply compound D and urea fertiliser on time.

Mr Kambole said there is also the soya beans Dina seed variety which does not shutter in the field once it matures.

He stressed that the crop has a yield potential of up to about 4.5 metric tonnes.

Mr Kambole explained that this variety is also rich in oil content and proteins.

He appealed to farmers to look out for certified seed as they do not encourage recycling of seed as this brings down the expected yields from the field.

A farmer from Chibalashi camp, Enorine Mwewa explained that she acquired knowledge and information on the Seedco seed varieties such as 733, and 621 which will enable her improve her production capacity and also learnt the dangers of late planting.

She encouraged her fellow farmers to know the varieties they are getting be it late maturing and medium maturing variety and the appropriate time for planting in order to maximise the yield in their fields. -NAIS