New High Yielding Maize Variety Introduced To Farmers

The Founder of Legacy Crop Improvement Centre Mr. Amos Rutherford Azinu said improved quality seeds is a necessity for the smallholder farmer.

Mr. Rutherford said high quality certified seed of crop varieties, is an important factor for increasing crop productivity and production in farmer's fields. “our smallholder farmers must work on their science consciousness, we're not a science conscious nation…..if we let our suspicious surpass our beliefs in science then we have lost the fight against hunger and poverty” he stated.
Mr. Rutherford made these remarks in an interview with this reporter at the second edition of hybrid seed maize variety show to outdoor four high yielding maize hybrid varieties namely LEGACY 2, LEGACY 17, LEGACY 25 & LEGACY 26 at LCIC research field in the Eastern region.
The CEO said it is important that every nation works towards enhanced seed security; this new hybrid maize seed will give the smallholder farmer between 8 -9 tons per hectare.
“all governments across Africa are aware of the importance of good quality seed in contributing to increased agricultural productivity and production, I hope farmers will be interested in getting some of this new hybrid seed,” he said.
“I have observed that farmers are becoming dependent on government seed supply and that's why LCIC is the alternative partner,” he said.
Mr. Rutherford urged growers to resort to improved seeds varieties, resistant to climate change and other harmful pests to help improve Ghana's agricultural sector and ensure food security and boost the economic status of farmers.
“economic impact of bad climatic conditions has been projected to cost local farmers several thousands of Ghana cedis, the amount is spent on agrochemicals to control the increasing number of pest infestations,” he said.

President National Seed Trade Association Of Ghana Mr. Thomas Havor whispered that the rural agriculture economy of Ghana is estimated to be operating only at 20% of its potential and thus unable to adequately address the issues of poverty reduction and food insecurity because the sector continues to consist mainly of smallholder farmers using unimproved seeds, fake chemical fertilizers, and have no irrigation facility.
Mr. Havor urged farmers to get good quality seeds from companies like Legacy Crop Improvement Centre where they are sure of good seed quality and much yields.
He called for the development of capacities and the establishment of more infrastructure locally to ensure a sustainable seed system in the country.
“Anywhere agriculture has developed in the world you have an excellent capacity-building policy” he stated.