Chitedze Research to certify new soya varieties

Chitedze Research Station assistant agricultural research officer William Phiri has announced plans to certify new soya bean varieties to ensure farmers benefit from improved yield.

The researcher said this last week at Zaone Extension Planning Area in Zomba where the research station in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture Research Services unveiled new soya bean varieties.

Chitedze Research Station, through lead farmers, planted at least eight different varieties of soya beans in January this year to gauge their effectiveness.

During presentation of results, farmers voted for TGX 1990–46F as the outstanding variety followed by Tikolole and Makwacha varieties on second and third positions.

“The newly-selected varieties will be further experimented and sampled in other districts, and if they pass the tests, they will be certified ready to be used by the farmers,” he said.

Phiri told farmers to practise good farming methods such as good land preparation, early planting, fertiliser application, weeding as well as pests and disease control.

In reaction, some of the farmers Franco Masamba and Zione Frank, said they have been planting soya beans for a long time, but the returns were not satisfactory.

“Previously, we used to buy seeds from local markets which performed poorly.

“We are optimstic that we will flourish in soya bean farming due to the introduction of the new varieties,” said Frank.

On his part, village head Namangale committed to empower his subjects to embrace improved varieties to maximise production.