Question NW2112 to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and FisheriesQUESTION
22 August 2017 - NW2112
Sonti, Ms NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and FisheriesQUESTION
(a) What is the (i) name of each research station and (ii) type of agro-ecological zones where the conventional hybrids produced by the Water Efficient Maize for Africa programme were trialed and (b)(i) where have conventional hybrids been distributed as part of farmer support programmes in the country and (ii) what has the response been from farmers in this regard?
Reply:
(a) (ii) Below are the names of the research stations and the types of agro-ecological zones where the conventional hybrids produced by the Water Efficient Maize for Africa programme were trailed.
|
Research Station |
Agro-ecological zone |
|
|
Code |
Description |
|
|
Cedara Research Station |
A |
Optimum; high rainfall |
|
Towoomba Research Station |
B |
High potential with limited rainfall |
|
ARC-Grain Crops, Potchefstroom |
C |
Transitional low rainfall |
|
Taung Research Station |
C |
Transitional low rainfall |
|
Vaalharts Research Station |
C |
Transitional low rainfall |
|
Makhathini Research Station |
D |
Lowland hot and dry |
|
Lutzville Research Station |
E |
Hot and dry (winter rainfall) |
(b) (i) The Limpopo Department of Agriculture purchased 10.9 tonnes of conventional WEMA hybrid WE3128 for the farmer support programme in January 2017. The province was responsible for distributing the seed.
(ii) The seed bought in January 2017 was too late for farmers to plant during the 2016/17 summer season. The seed will be planted during the coming 2017/18 summer season and farmer responses will be known after the 2017/18 season.