Maize Pathology Field Day at Ntcheu R.D.P. Malawi, on 30 April 2004

Field Day Theme: Managing Maize Diseases Through Resistance Breeding

Introduction

The Ntcheu R.D.P. Field Day was a research/extension/farmer linkage initiative, whose objective was to demonstrate to the farming community and extension field staff some of the latest technologies in managing maize diseases through breeding.

Overall objective

To show farmers how to improve maize  yields through managing diseases such as gray leaf spot (Cercospora zean maydis), turcicum leaf blight (Turcicum exserohilum) and maize streak virus (Mastrevirus).

Specific objectives

1. To allow farmers to evaluate the performance of the newly released maize varieties in the field compared to other varieties.

2. To enable the farmers select the varieties that are most suitable to their needs.

3. To allow farmers communicate with the research scientists as well as extension staff on the constraints in maize production.

Tasks accomplished

• A presentation by the Maize Pathology Project Coordinator, on the status of maize diseases in Malawi and the development and release of three multiple disease resistant varieties.

• Tour of the maize demonstration field where several maize varieties were grown adjacent to each other

• Selection of suitable varieties by farmers based on high yields, disease resistance, flintness or a combination of these factors

• A question and answer session conducted for farmers on issues affecting maize production

Conclusion

The farmers, extension personnel and Lilongwe ADD management staff were able to appreciate the merits of CZR 8 compared with the other maize varieties, such as MH 18. Farmers demonstrated their desire for the new hybrid by demanding for seed. Farmers were assured that efforts to multiply seed were underway in Domasi under the winter program. 

Closing Remarks

The Chief Maize Pathologist (Mr. P. T. Khonje. Appreciated the good response from the farmers in attending the field day. More field days are planned. 

The National Research Coordinator for Cereals (Dr. W. Sakala). He assured farmers that priority for seed supply will given to the Malawian farmers than export market.

Group Village Headman Mr Masitimare. Informed vistord of frequent food shortages in the area which may improve with application of recommendations from the field day. He requested that seed be available in smaller packets of 2 kg to improve access by farmers.

The District Agricultural Research Officer for Ntcheu Mr. J. Nyirenda. He encouraged farmers to learn about the new technologies, form groups to access loans and farm inputs and more interaction with the department.

The Chief Agricultural Extension Officer, Mr. B.F.R. Mtika. Encouraged farmer to farmer sharing of technologies, and adoption of new, higher yielding maize varieties.

Manager for Chitedze Research Station, Mr. W. F. Kumwenda. Encouraged farmers to visits the station’s demonstration plots, plant disease resistant varieties

The Deputy Director of Agricultural Research responsible for Technology Development Dr. M. P. Banda told the farmers that the Department of agricultural research is developing a number of technologies for the farmers and if the farmers are not taking up these technologies then all the efforts will be in vain. He concurred with Mr. Mtika that the issue of Chimanga chamakolo does not hold these days because the population is increasing rapidly so farmers have to produce enough food for them which can only be done by growing high yielding hybrid varieties which are being bred at Chtitedze Research Station. He gave an example of why the farmers are not putting up the clothes that our ancestors used to wear such as Nyanda, it is because big trees are no longer available to provide the current population with those clothes. He also thanked the people for coming and urged them to practice what they had learnt in their fields.

Participants at the Maize Pathology Farmers Field Day at Ntcheu Rural Development Project, 30 April 2004