Institute multiplying drought-resistant seed varieties

MELKASSA — THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD Newspaper 17 April 2016: The Ethiopian Agriculture Research Institute has developed and is multiplying various early maturing and drought-resistant seed varieties in response to the drought.
Institute Technology Multiplication and Seed Research Director Dr. Abebe Atelaw said that the Institute has been conducting research on new seed varieties and introducing to areas which have high, medium and low rain. When the drought occurred, the Institute has been engaged in replicating drought-resistant seed and supply them to seed enterprises.
So far, it has also multiplied sorghum, maize and teff, soya beans seeds which are conducive for rift valley zones, according to the Director.
“In connection with the drought, in general, we are multiplying various species of seed together with stakeholders. King bird and Kekeba wheat varieties, for instance, mature within short period of time. Including sorghum and maize, we are reproducing various types of seeds on 500 hectares of land through irrigation at Worer, Koga, Ayohe, Kulumessa, Debre Zeyit and other research institutes. This year, we are producing better than before,” Dr. Abebe said.
Indicating that the Institute is not in a position to produce seeds sufficient for national consumption, the Director said: “We are now facilitating conditions to seed enterprise to prepare additional seeds and meet farmers demands. Our responsibility is providing basic seeds for seed enterprises and other stakeholders. We are successful in this regard. By expanding irrigation infrastructure development, we can produce better seeds.”
According to Dr. Abebe, the Institute has concluded agreement with seed enterprises to provide seed in advance. “Based on that, we have tried to supply seed to meet the demand of seed enterprises. Most of the time seed enterprises request old seed varieties which are highly demanded by farmers. But we are focusing on new seed varieties which are disease-resistant and guarantee increased productivity.
Institute National Sorghum Coordinator Dr. Taye Tadesse also said that due to the current drought caused by El Nino, sorghum growing areas have been highly affected. Thus, shortage of sorghum could occur in the next season. Cognizant of this, the Institute has been introducing various drought-resistant sorghum seed varieties.
“Over 100 quintals of seed are produced through community-based seed multiplication. What we found out was, if it is possible to harvest water on farmers land, improved seeds could also be multiplied involving the farmers. We buy the seed from farmers at a reasonable price.”
Melkasa Agriculture Research Center Technology Multiplication Coordinator Haileselassie Kidane said that the Center has been developing three types of soya bean known as Awash I, Awash II and Nasser. These seed varieties can be harvested within three months time in areas experiencing low rain. As they are maximizing profitability of farmers, especially Awash I and II are highly demanded by the farmers. Nasser is also demanded especially for food.
“We reproduced the three seed varieties last main rainy season. These seed varieties could thrive well in areas having similar rainfall intensity with Melkassa. They are highly demanded in rift valley areas. It is possible to harvest 22-25 quintals per hectare.
Due to the reduction in the volume of the Awash river, we are multiplying seed only on six hectares of land.”h II and Nasser. These seed varieties can be harvested within three months time in areas experiencing low rain. As they are maximizing profitability of farmers, especially Awash I and II are highly demanded by the farmers. Nasser is also demanded especially for food.
“We reproduced the three seed varieties last main rainy season. These seed varieties could thrive well in areas having similar rainfall intensity with Melkassa. They are highly demanded in rift valley areas. It is possible to harvest 22-25 quintals per hectare.
Due to the reduction in the volume of the Awash river, we are multiplying seed only on six hectares of land.”
BY GIRMACHEW GASHAW