Seed Industry Research Report-Ken Research (1)

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Water Efficient Maize For Africa (Wema) Market
Outlook-Ken Research
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One of the most amazing applications of
agricultural technology is drought tolerant
crops. As climate change persists water efficient
seeds can help farmers produce food while using
less water. Africa is a drought prone region
making farming risky for millions of farmers who
mainly rely on rainfall for water. Market
research reports for seed reveal that maize is
the most widely grown staple crop in Africa with
more than 300 million people depending on it for
food and it gets severely affected by drought.
Thanks to plant breeding technology Africas main
food source can now be produced with drought
tolerant traits protecting the crop during
unpredictable environment stress. Recent
research has led to the development of new
agriculture and seed technology as suggested by
seed industry research reports. The WEMA project
is a unique public private partnership led by
Kenya based African Agricultural Technology
Foundation (AATF) and funded by the Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation, Howard G. Buffett
Foundation and USAID. WEMA uses breeding
techniques and biotechnology to develop drought
tolerant seeds. Mozambique harvested its first
genetically modified maize in August 2017 which
led to further experimentation. The work is
being done by the Institute of Agrarian Research
(IIAM) which is one of the founders of the WEMA
project and includes participation of sub-Saharan
countries such as Tanzania, South Africa and
Uganda through their respective agrarian research
institutes.
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Genetically modified seeds from the US are also
being tested under research projects of WEMA to
develop drought tolerance in seed
industry. India is also developing techniques to
combat drought situations that are frequent in
states such as Jharkhand, Orissa and
Chhattisgarh. Experts say that future production
will mainly be from the use of seeds that can
perform under stressed conditions like drought.
Sahbhagi Dhan is a drought tolerant variety of
rice. As compared to conventional rice it
produces nearly double the yield (in drought
conditions), requires half as much water and
matures much faster. DuPont Pioneer has developed
around 5 hybrid seeds keeping in mind the
depleting water table and uncertainty of monsoon
in India. The innovative science driven solutions
have enabled certain hybrids like Pioneer Millet
Hybrid 86M66 and 86M88 to tolerate severe drought
conditions, low or negligible rainfall and poor
irrigation conditions. As a result of this there
was a 45 increase in productivity of Pearl
Millet and its production has increased by nearly
20. WEMA project has successfully completed
several years of research and the result has been
promising. Authorities have also shown their
support. Tanzanian scientists have recently
released their promising research on
biotechnology.
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During meetings and discussions held for the WEMA
project these researchers were supported by their
government to carry on with the field trials of
transgenic drought tolerant seeds. Recently the
Tanzanian government amended the Environmental
Management Regulations by removing strict
liability to provide a better environment for
conducting research. Uganda has also made
significant contributions. The WEMA project has
developed drought resistant maize hybrids which
are sold under the brand name DroughtTego. WEMA
has led to further developments. The project
coordinators have announced the next set of
actions which will focus on ensuring that Kenya,
Uganda, Tanzania among others initiative on
commercialization of the improved maize by 2023.
India is also contributing significantly in this
respect. To know more, click on the link
below https//www.kenresearch.com/agriculture-and
-animal-care/seed/SC-104-20.html Related
Report https//www.kenresearch.com/agriculture-an
d-animal-care/seed/south-africa-seed-market/142288
-104.html
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Contact Us Ken Research Ankur Gupta, Head
Marketing Communications sales_at_kenresearch.com
91-9015378249
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