eBusiness Weekly
Sifelani Tsiko
HARARE – Zimbabwe’s major cotton seed producer Quton has released new cotton hybrid seeds with a higher yield potential compared to current non-hybrid varieties in a move which is set to revive the country’s cotton sector which has been on the decline for years.
Speaking at the launch of the new cotton seed hybrids last Friday, Quton MD Edworks Mhandu said his company was releasing the hybrid varieties after conducting successful trials in partnership with the Cotton Research Institute in various parts of the country.
He said the results of research had shown that the hybrid seeds, which generally require less water had a yield potential of 20-25 percent higher than non-hybrid seeds.
“The new cotton hybrid seed is going to revolutionise the country’s cotton sector through improved yields and improved livelihoods for farmers,” he said.
“Our vision is not ending with hybrids only but we want to go further into biotechnology to enhance the competitiveness of Zimbabwe’s cotton sector. It’s now possible for breeders to introduce new varieties in six to seven years instead of 15 years.
“We are introducing these varieties with the main objective of increasing productivity and enhanced incomes for cotton farmers.”
Quton, in collaboration with the Cotton Research Institute conducted trials over the last two cropping seasons to develop highly adaptable and high-yielding cotton varieties to enhance the country’s competitiveness on the world market.
The company released its C567, C571 and C608 cotton hybrid varieties which broadly have large bolls, very high oil and protein content as well as good fibre quality compared to the QM301 open variety.
With good agronomic conditions and practices, the C571 and C567 varieties can yied about 5 500kg per hectare while the drought tolerant C608 can yield some 4 000kg per hectare.
Quton breeders say the figures could be higher depending on soil and other agronomic conditions.
They say the hybrid varieties have a potential for 60 bolls per plant.
Quton and the Cotton Research Institute conducted trials in the 2015/16 and 2016/2017 cropping seasons in main cotton growing regions – Gokwe, Sanyati, Muzarabani, Bindura and other areas.
“Our trials were a huge success and I’m optimistic that these new varieties will gain acceptance and improve the livelihoods of cotton farmers,” said Mr Mhandu.
“The cotton sector had gone on a downward spiral for several years. The question was, what do we do to increase productivity. These cotton hybrid varieties could help us increase our return per hectare and help our farmers to retain interest in growing cotton.
“Quton is working flat out to ensure our farmers get some economic benefit from the seed. If farmers are happy with their returns, then we know we are going to get business.”
India’s leading agri-biotech company Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company acquired a controlling stake in Quton in 2014 from SeedCo in a transaction worth $10 million.
The acquisition gave the Indian firm a platform to introduce hybrid seeds to Africa. The foray into African market is expected to strengthen Quton and Mahyco’s positioning in the global cotton market.
Quton also has operations Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia were cotton hybrid seeds have also been undergoing trials. These countries too, predominantly use open pollinated varieties.
Myahyco is working to introduce these hybrids in seven other African countries.
