Panthochi Seed Company Donates Seeds to Malawi

Panthochi seed company has donated Maize and Cowpeas seeds worth K14 million to government to distribute to farmers who engage themselves in irrigation farming in the districts of Zomba and Phalombe.

Speaking during the handover ceremony at Zomba district agricultural offices sales and marketing officer for the company, Smart Mtolera said they thought of donating the seeds as one way of mitigating the impacts of dry spells and fall army worms.

Mtolera said despite being a profit making company, they thought of donating the seeds because they are citizens of Malawi and have a role to play in making sure that Malawians have enough food at household level.

“The seeds which are of medium maturity will help farmers who are heavily affected by dry spells and fall army worms to recover by planting them in this year’s irrigation farming,” said Mtolera.

Representing government, Director of crop development in the ministry of agriculture, irrigation and water development, Dr Godfrey Ching’oma said government is grateful for the gesture saying it is timely.

Ching’oma said there are many farmers who are in need of seeds, mainly those who have been affected by fall army worms and dry spells, and are located in areas where irrigation is practiced.

“The problem of dry spells has affected almost 17 districts affecting almost 707,389 agricultural households and as a ministry they are encouraging farmers to practice irrigation farming,” Ching’oma said.

Ching’oma then called upon the district agricultural development officers to make sure that the seeds are distributed to the rightful families.

“Malawians must borrow a leaf from Panthochi Seed Company, by venturing into entrepreneurship,” added Ching’oma.

Zomba is one of the 17 districts in the country which were heavily affected by fall army worms and dry spell, and the seeds are 3 metric tons and 5.2 metric tons of Maize and Cowpeas respectively.