Farmers in Zamfara state have expressed happiness an after on- farm trial of a newly improved cotton seed known as Mahyco 567 BG2 and Mahyco 571 BG2 which have the ability to resist pest attacks.
About 300 hundred farmers planted the seed for on farm – trials this year’s cropping season and said they were surprised by the high yield of the cotton compared to the local varieties or conventional cotton seeds.
The farmers gave the testimonies during the Field Day conducted by the company’s Market Development Officer in Zamfara state, Yusuf Hamza at a farm owned by one Aliyu Salisu at Rugan Na’ Ali in Tsafe local government area of the state.
The farmers said after yield and economic importance calculation both varieties of the seed proved significant difference compared to local varieties of cotton seed.
A cotton farmer, Yahaya Muhammad Bilbis, said cotton farming had declined owing lack of improved seed.
“Moreover, even when we plant the seed, the constant pest attack on the cotton plantation is another aspect giving headache to farmers. But with the introduction of this new improved cotton seed we are set to go back to cotton production”
“I’ve planted the seed in my farm and I observed that the difference is clear compared to what was obtainable before. You can see for yourself. The yield and the absence of bollworms on the farm. It is really the best thing to happen to us.
Another farmer, Alhassan Unguwar Chida said he had never seen cotton seed with high yield like Mahyco 567 BG2 and Mahyco 571 BG2 and would be ready to rely on the seed variety for his cotton farming.
“If the seed is ready now a lot farmers will buy it as they have indicated interest. We will like to plead with authorities to make the seed available to farmers.
“We have demonstrated the seed and we have seen its worth. Those who brought the idea are worthy of commendation. Cotton farming is being resuscitated. Seed is the mother of all problems in cotton farming, however, the problem is now being addressed by those whose goal is to make farmers happy,” he added.
The Market Development Officer of the company , Yusuf Hamza further explained that the new varieties of cotton performed significantly higher than local varieties adding that 4.1 to 4.4 tonnes could be achieved compared to 250 kg to 900 kg per hectare for the local varieties.
He said the seeds had the ability to resist pest attacks that have for quite a long time become nightmare to cotton farmers in the country.
He noted that the destructive effect of bollworm on cotton farms with associated effects of low yield will be a thing of the past because the new seed is resistant to such pest attacks.
