Agriculture authorities in Nkhata Bay District have warned farmers in Chintheche Extension Planning Area (EPA) against using uncertified seeds.
Chintheche EPA assistant agriculture extension and development officer Oliva Chakhoma said this on Saturday when he received 32 kilogrammes (kg) of bean seed which Farm Rite Products Company donated to Nkhokwe Farmer Field School for winter cropping.
He said growing recycled and uncertified seeds contributes to food insecurity in the country.
Said Chakhoma: “Planting uncertified seeds leads to lower yields, reduced crop quality and increased vulnerability to diseases and pests due to factors such as low germination rates and potential contamination by weeds or diseases.
“These negative effects can significantly impact a farmer’s profitability and overall agricultural productivity.”
Farm Rite director Adamson Phiri said the donation followed field trials they conducted in 2024.
He said: “We did research on various farms where we planted Nua-45, SUD-13 and Kabalabala beans varieties. Nua-45 emerged as the highly productive variety, producing 2.5 tonnes per hectare while the
other two varieties scored below two tonnes.
“The Malawi Bureau of Standards approved the variety and we recommend Nua-45 to be grown in the area. This variety is resistant to diseases and matures early.”
Phiri said they trained Nkhokwe farmers on how to grow and care the crop.
Nkhokwe Farmer Field School chairperson James Sitima said the bean seeds will be passed on to other farmers after the harvest in August this year.
He commended the company for fulfilling its pledge of giving them certified seeds, which he said will improve their household income earnings.
“We will grow Nua-45 on a one acre next month and we expect to produce 400 kg,” said Sitima.
The company’s salesperson Phinna Chikhasu said each household could earn more than K100 000 from selling their harvest.
