By MAIMBOLWA MULIKELELA –
MONSANTO Zambia has pledged to invest more in research and extension services to assist the small-scale farmers in the country to improve their yields.
Monsanto Zambia regional sales manager, Davies Silungwe, said as one of the leading seed companies in the world, the firm would continue to invest in research and extension services to benefit thousands of farmers across the country.
Mr Silungwe said providing good variety seeds and extension services would help improve the small-scale farmers’ yields, which was currently ranging from 1.2 to two tonnes per hectare.
Speaking at the 88th Agricultural and Commercial Show in Lusaka, Mr Silungwe said the company would carry out demonstration plots with various stakeholders in all the districts.
“We provide good varieties of seeds such as very early maturity hybrid, medium maturity and late maturity hybrid. And we provide the extension services that are needed for the farmers to produce good yields,” Mr Silungwe said.
A number of small-scale farmers have cried to the Government for investment in extension services.
Mr Silungwe said the demonstration plots would be conducted countrywide, saying more resources would be channeled towards research development and making sure that the farmers had the right seeds.
