Mchinji farmers urged to use certified seeds

Farmers in Mchinji have been challenged to use certified seeds to increase their farm produce.

Mchinji district council chairperson Edson Josiah said this in Mchinji  on Friday during a seed market fair aimed at sensitising agricultural stakeholders to the importance of new farming technologies.

“If farmers are to harvest more, they need to grow seeds that certified. Seeds are the genesis and very important to agricultural production,” he said.

Josiah applauded Seed Trade Association of Malawi (Stam) for making sure that agro-dealers are not selling fake seeds.

He said the commercialisation of agriculture requires modern technologies to produce quality seeds that are more competitive at local and international levels.

Stam chairperson Supply Chisi said his organisation has put in place measures to curb fake seed traders through registration of seed outlets.

“We are also working together with the Ministry of Agriculture, especially the seed service unit, to monitor the markets. In addition to that, we are making sure that seed traders are always registered and have licenses,” he said.

The annual event brings together key players in the agricultural sector and helps in creating sustainable working relationships among the farmers. n