Seed traders excited with BT maize field trial success
The Seed Traders Association of Malawi (Stam) has expressed excitement over the preliminary positive results of the modified (GMO) maize trials that seek to combat fall armyworms.
It comes after scientists at Malawi’s Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) disclosed that the its first biotechnology (Bt) Maize Confined Field Trial has shown success.
Stam was informed about the positive outcome after its team inspected the trial site at the Luanar’s Bunda Campus in Lilongwe recently.
There, the scientists led by Abel Sefasi, remarked that varieties which they planted during the just ended growing season have shown that they can withstand fall armyworm.
“We were testing against insect resistance to fall armyworm. Whereas the Bt maize variety withstood the insect, the ordinary maize which does not have the Bt gene was eaten up by the insects,” he said.
In his reaction, Stam secretary general Nessimu Nyama said the farmers of maize, the country’s staple food, will be among the key beneficiaries of the breakthrough.
African Seed Trade Association’s (AFSTA) Plant Biotechnology Project is supporting the initiative.
“Looking at the performance of the maize now at these confined trials, we can clearly see that those that were treated with traits of tolerance have done better than the untreated maize.
“Farmers in Malawi will benefit as they will have seeds that tolerate insect pests such as Fall armyworm,” said Nyama.
The Luanar scientists point out that it will take three years for them to introduce the BT maize into the market if the National Biosafety Authority of Malawi approves the trials as successful.
The approval by the NBA will be followed by checking the crop performance in different climatic conditions of the country.
A breakthrough would turn this to be the second genetically modified crop to be licenced in Malawi after Bt cotton which is grown by thousands of Malawian farmers.
