With the farming season well underway and some farmers already planting in their fields, smallholder farmers in Chitipa have expressed concern with the influx of counterfeit maize seeds on the market, stating that they are now reluctant to buy seeds.

One of the concerned farmers, Moses Mtambo of Siyombwe village in the area of senior chief Mwaulambya has told Zodiak that it is difficult to tell whether the seeds available at the market are genuine or counterfeit.

“We have lost trust in the dealers who are selling the seeds in the market, and we are afraid because we have seen the police arrest some traders suspected of selling fake seeds, so we are not sure which seeds are genuine, or fake,” said Mtambo.

He therefore appealed to officials at the district agriculture office to intervene and ensure that counterfeit seeds are not available in the market so that farmers are protected from the fake ones.

Meanwhile, Director of Agriculture Services at Chitipa district Council Lumbani Msiska has advised farmers to organize themselves in groups where they can be able to buy large quantities of seeds directly from seed suppliers, which can reduce the cases of farmers buying counterfeit maize seeds.

Msiska added that the farmers can also consult agricultural extension workers in their areas who can guide them where to purchase the maize seeds from.

“We have extension workers spread across all areas in the district who can reliably help the farmers find certified and registered agro-dealers where they can purchase the genuine maize seeds from,” he said.
 
Msiska further explained that his office, in collaboration with the police and the Malawi Bureau of Standards, are already inspecting markets and other places where the seeds are being sold to combat the problem.

Police in Chitipa district have so far arrested four traders suspected of selling counterfeit seeds and not having the proper licenses.

(Written By: John Chihana)