By Wallace Mawire
Farmers, agronomists and partners attended an educative and informative field day hosted by SeedCo Vegetables to empower farmers on horticulture. Field Day hosted by SeedCo Vegetables. Patrick Mtandwa, SeedCo Vegetables General Manager said the field day was is not just a showcase but a moment to share knowledge, exchange experiences and strengthen the partnerships that power agriculture in the country. Mtandwa said SeedCo acknowledged that farmers attended not because they are not good in farming but because they want to improve and embrace new technologies.
He said over the past few months, the country experienced an unusual season. He said the persistent and excessive rains have brought with them a new layer of challenges and an emerging wave of diseases that threaten the viability and profitability of crops.
“We are seeing topical diseases like Black Rot in cauliflower, Purple Blotch in onions, and Late Blight in tomatoes taking a toll on productivity. In carrots, Alternaria has re-emerged as a significant threat. These are not just names—they represent real economic risks to our farmers and real challenges to our food systems, ‘Mtandwa said.
He said it is necessary to not only looking at plants in the ground but also at resilience. Seedco showcased genetics that are standing up to the challenges and comparing them with those that are being affected. He said that is the core of what SeedCo Vegetables is about: providing reliable, well-adapted seed varieties backed by sound agronomic advice.
He commended SeedCo ‘s agronomy team for continuously walking the fields with farmers, sharing best practices, from correct planting dates and crop rotation to timely spraying regimes and disease scouting. He said agronomy is no longer optional but is strategic.
He introduced two coded tomato varieties specifically bred for open field production as a glimpse into their pipeline and what is coming next to serve farmers better. He said that they are backed by data and tested in the very environments farmers are working in every day.
He advised farmers to work with agronomists in the respective provinces.