New maize variety to cut costs for farmers

Dr Eliud Kireger, Director General, Kenya Agriculture Research and Livestock Organisation (KALRO), explains the new technology, Seed Production Technology for Africa (SPTA) for hybrid maize seeds at research site in KALRO, Kitale. [Nanjinia Wamuswa, Standard]

Farmers have grappled with high cost of hybrid maize seeds for many years. However, in the next year, they will access cheaper hybrid maize seeds, thanks to the new technology developed by Kenya Agriculture Research and Livestock Organisation (Kalro). The technology, Seed Production Technology for Africa (SPTA) eliminates the need for detasseling, a highly intensive process that accounts up to 40 per cent increase in cost of hybrid maize seeds. Detasseling corn is removing the pollen-producing flowers, the tassel, from the tops of corn (maize) plants and placing them on the ground. Kalro Director General Dr. Eliud Kireger said maize seed production is set to be revolutionised following seven-year research on this new technology, which delivers high-quality hybrid seed with improved yields while lowering the cost of goods and complexity of producing the seed.