K2’s greening revolution brings bumper harvests
Moffat Mungazi and Luthando Mapepa
FOR farmers serious with agricultural business, it has become common
knowledge that getting the right yield begins with getting the right seed. Overall, this is critical in increasing production, productivity and
profitability for farmers in their enterprises.
This is the message that leading seed producer – Klein Karoo Seed Marketing Zimbabwe (K2 Seeds) – is driving home to farmers across Zimbabwe so that they play a role in contributing towards achieving food security and nutrition to ensure selfsufficiency for both households and the country as envisaged in the National Development Strategy (NDS1), with the country moving towards attaining Vision 2030.
Using the correct varieties for their respective farming regions or areas across Manicaland has paid huge dividends for some farmers in the province as they are reaping enormous benefits from working closely with K2 Seeds.
Two such farmers are Mrs Patricia Nyakwawa of Village 56 in Ward 27 of
Nyanga District and Mr Charles SitholeMhlahlayazi of Chinyamukwakwa in Ward 26 of Chipinge South.
Mrs Nyakwawa said her association with K2 Seeds is turning her fortunes around as she is expecting a bumper harvest from her maize crop.
“The journey with K2 Seeds has been very fruitful as they are always assisting farmers in various ways from the shop to the field to ensure optimum yields. This enhances sustainability of our activities. After putting my one-hectare plot under maize using their PGS65 seed variety, I am looking forward to a high yield of
up to 10 tonnes. This is enough for my family's subsistence and surplus for sale,” said Mrs Nyakwawa on the
sidelines of a field day recently organised by K2 Seeds at her plot.
K2 Seeds' PGS 65 seed variety has a potential yield of 15 tonnesper hectare. Mr Mhlahlayazi shares a similar success story.
Despite experimenting by putting his 10-hectare plot under the red sorghum seed variety – Rakodzi – the results have turned out to be what the doctor rightly prescribed for the Lowveld farmer.
“Despite receiving low rainfall this season, my crop performed very well. I am expecting more than five tonnes per hectare. I am also hoping for high
returns from my investment as the crop is on high demand from breweries," he said.
The red sorghum seed variety has a potential yield of seven tonnes per hectare.
K2 Seeds sales and marketing manager (eastern region) Mr Petros Nyamande said the success being enjoyed by farmers they are working with is evidence of how the agronomic advice
they offer in partnership with Agritex is bearing fruit.
“As a breeder and marketer of seeds, our varieties that are resistant to drought like PGS 51 and PGS 61 are bringing smiles to many farmers.
These varieties are bred to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change,” said Mr Nyamande.
Mr Nyamande said for the convenience of rural communities, they have already established villagebased agencies in respective wards for the sale and distribution of their wide range of products.
He added that this helps cushion farmers from dealing with unscrupulous middlemen who may
sell counterfeit products to them, which can be costly to their enterprises. K2 Seeds Manicaland provincial sales and marketing agronomist, Mr Searchmore Chiweshe said as the leaders in yield, their focus is on developing new genetics that suit the ever changing weather patterns by developing new technologies for their various seed varieties to suit farmers' needs in the face of climate change. Said Mr Chiweshe: “By producing and selling high quality seeds suited to the climatic conditions of Zimbabwe's respective regions, we help farmers get the best out of their activities through
bumper harvests. Farming has become serious business and with research, product development, field days and direct contact with farmers, those associating with us are reaping the benefits.
“Our seed varieties typically have staygreen characteristics
as well as high plant population to boost the yield potential. We are geared to be the farmers' partners for
successful agriculture,” he said.
Mr Chiweshe urged farmers to work with Agritex officers for technical assistance,
reiterating their commitment to continue supporting them.
Klein Karoo Seed Marketing Zimbabwe are a leader in proving a wide range of seed products. Their
basket comprises maize varieties (hybrid and open pollinated), wheat,
pastures, sorghum, cowpeas, pearl millet, soya beans, sugar beans and vegetables.
With a footprint visible in all the
country's 10 provinces, K2 Seeds products are readily available at major retail outlets and distributors such as Farm and City.
Their seed varieties are also used in Government programmes like the Presidential Input Programme and CBZ Agro Yield programme.
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