Published by the government of Zimbabwe
27 September 2007
Harare — The Department of Agricultural Research and Extension Services (Arex) is still running trials for new rice seed varieties to determine their potential.
Arex principal agronomist Mr Johnson Muzarurwi said in an interview on Tuesday that seven Nerica varieties were being tested to assess their performance in Zimbabwe's weather conditions. "The new rice seed varieties, which are bred and grown in Japan, are on evaluation to check their performance under our weather conditions," Mr Muzarurwi said. "According to rice breeders, Nerica variety 3 is doing quite well in terms of palatability." He said the varieties would only be released onto the market after thorough tests by the Crop Breeding Institute and with the consent of the Variety Release Committee, which falls under the Ministry of Agriculture.
"These varieties will only be released onto the market after the Variety Release Committee has approved that they are worthy to be put on the market," he said. Mr Muzarurwi said the rice varieties could be grown on upland and sustained by rain, unlike varieties currently available which only grow in swampy areas. He said the varieties, which were officially introduced in Zimbabwe in 2004, were expected to be on the market by next year if everything goes according to plan.
Mr Muzarurwi said the varieties were meant to boost rice production and enhance food security in the country.
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