South Africa
October 16, 2010
Over the past few years, the Monsanto DEKALB trademark white and yellow maize cultivars have become renowned for their characteristically high yields. A new addition that continues to build on the success of these cultivars has now been introduced. “This is food for Africa,” says Magda du Toit, Monsanto communication manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, in a statement on World Food Day, 16 October.
The new maize cultivar boasts gigantic cobs with a length of 295 mm and up to 20 rows of kernels: the maize of the future, food for Africa.
"This is Monsanto’s ongoing contribution towards alleviating hunger and poverty. The company spends over US$ 1.5 million (R9 million) daily on research and development in its quest to produce more food for the world,” says du Toit.
"According to the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations), more than 200 million people in Africa go to bed hungry every day. World-wide some 25 000 people, including 18 000 children, die from starvation daily.”
She added that in its quest to harness improved biotechnology research to place more food on the table, the company had reached an advanced stage in its development of a drought-tolerant maize cultivar – more crop, less drop. Progress was also being made with cultivars capable of utilising nitrogen more effectively.
The drought-tolerant maize forms part of the WEMA project (Water Efficient Maize for Africa). It is being developed in East and South Africa in conjunction with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre, with sponsorship from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. South Africa and four East African countries are involved.
According to Dr Geoffrey Asea, WEMA co-ordinator, the new drought-tolerant cultivar could increase yields by between 20 and 30% compared with current cultivars. This would mean an additional yield of two million metric tonnes, sufficient to feed 21million more people.
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