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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
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To
allow farmers to evaluate the performance of the newly
released maize varieties in the field compared to other
varieties.
-
To
enable the farmers select the varieties that are most
suitable to their needs.
-
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
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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
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Participant
affiliation
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Number
in attendance
|
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Ntcheu
R.D.P. Farmers
|
110
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Ntcheu
Rural Development
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31
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Chitedze
Agricultural Research Station (CARS)
|
9
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Lilongwe
Agricultural Development Division (LADD)
|
4
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Agricultural
Research Headquarters (DARS H.Q.)
|
1
|
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Africare
(NG0)
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1
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Bembeke
- Research field station
|
1
|
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