Bayer for integrated agri-services
Bayer Malawi says it is focusing on the provision of full agriculture production service package to enable farmers to acquire not only high quality seed but also good agriculture chemicals.
The firm has changed its approach from chemicals manufacturing after it acquired 100 percent shareholding of Monsanto Malawi Limited, a company which specialises in the production of seed. The acquisition deal was sealed in August 2018.
Bayer Malawi country manager Gift Kawamba said the coming together of the two firms will improve crop management and make it affordable based on economies of scale.
“Bayer and Monsanto are big global companies and the farmer should expect one-stop shop on all seed and chemical requirements. We are trying to make this as affordable as possible,” he said last week on the sidelines of a field day in Lilongwe to showcase how some of its maize seed varieties and chemicals have performed in the field.
The first demonstration field was at Maula Prison Farm along Mchinji Road where people appreciated how inmates are managing their maize field using Bayer technologies.
This was followed by another field demonstration, which focused on herbicides, pesticides and chemicals for treating grain after harvest.
Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development deputy director for crops development responsible for horticulture Eviness Nyalugwe said improved maize varieties are ideal in modern farming because farmers realise more on a small piece of land.
She commended Bayer’s approach because farmers are now getting agricultural services under one roof.
