Seed Multiplication Unit

During 1994-95, the Department handled 4 2,306 tons of sorghum, 2 0,478 tons of maize and 550 tons of millet, 577 tons of cowpeas, 209 tons of sunflower and 483 tons of groundnuts seed. Of this 802 tons of maize and 350 tons of millet seed were imported from outside the country whilst the rest was from local purchases and carry-over-seed. The Department distributed 2 3,016 tons of sorghum, 13,460 tons of maize, 322 tons of millet and 396 tons of cowpea seed for free distribution under the Drought Relief Program.

The Department sold to BAMB, the Cooperatives, OSCAR and BALBIR (Pty) the following quantities of seed for resale to farmers; 2,274 tons of sorghum, 75 tons of millet, 1,686 tons of maize, 299 tons of cowpeas, 166 tons of sunflower and 47 tons of groundnuts. In addition to this, 995 tons of cowpeas, 180 tons of groundnuts, 0.46 tons of sunflower and 0.34 tons of mungbean seed were sold to contract seed growers from the foundation seed stocks for multiplication