Demeter decries fake seed influx

Certified seed company Demeter Agriculture has reiterated the need for farmers and local traders to use certified seeds.

The firm emphasised this during a roadshow held on Tuesday to showcase its seed varieties.

Demeter Agriculture National Sales Manager Benson Banda said use of uncertified seed compromises yields.

He said the firm was working with the Ministry of Agriculture in carrying out initiatives to combat the use of fake seeds in the country.

“In each and every packet of Demeter Seed, there is a scratch card whereby if a farmer scratches it and sends the content to the number 3015, they will be able to get information from there on the variety of the seed as well as the certification date,” Banda said.

He added that, as the planting season approaches, their company remains poised to serve farmers in the country.

The company has maize seed varieties including MH26, ZM623, and ZM523.

Demeter Agriculture produces and markets varieties of seeds for maize, beans, soya, cowpeas and groundnuts that are all certified by the Government of Malawi.

SOURCE: THE TIMES GROUP