HARARE, June 23 (NewsDay Live) - FARMERS have been urged to store seed properly and keep detailed farm records if they want to protect their yields and plan better for the next season.
The call was made by Agriseeds Sales and marketing director, Irvin Craig, during a tour of the company’s factory and research facility in Harare on Saturday. He told journalists that poor seed handling remains one of the main reasons why some farmers experience low germination and poor crop produce, even when they use certified seed.
Craig warned against the common practice of mixing seed with other materials and storing it in unsuitable places.
“Some farmers keep seed near walls that sweat with moisture, on damp floors, and even close to fuel and chemicals,” he said.
“Once seed absorbs moisture or comes into contact with chemicals, its viability is reduced. You end up with poor germination and blame the seed, when the problem started in storage.”
He explained that seed is a living product and must be kept in cool, dry, and clean conditions. Direct contact with damp walls, wet floors, and strong-smelling substances can damage the embryo inside, thereby inhibiting sprouting.
The warning comes at a critical time when the country is regularly experiencing erratic rainfall - factors that threaten food security.
Beyond storage, Craig encouraged farmers to keep farm records.
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“Records help you know what worked and what didn’t. Without them, you are farming by memory and guesswork. With them, you can compare seasons, choose better varieties, and manage inputs more efficiently,” he said.
Agriseeds said it is developing drought-tolerant and early-maturing seed varieties suitable for Zimbabwe’s changing climate, but stressed that even the best seed needs proper handling to deliver results. The company’s research team is also educating farmers through field days and factory visits to close the gap between seed production and on-farm practice.
Craig concluded that good storage and record-keeping cost nothing but can be the difference between a failed crop and a harvest that supports a family through the year.
