There is a ray of hope that a new maize research being undertaken at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) will help to overcome challenges of fall armyworms and weeds in farms.
The trial is on maize which is resistant to insects like fall armyworms and the other one is tolerant to herbicide.
Thus far, the research has shown that maize applied with chemicals is clean while the other side without chemical has been attacked by insects.
And on the other side, the part with chemical is clean without weeds while the other part without chemical has weeds affecting crops.
Speaking to MIJ Online Dr Abel Sefasi Senior Lecture in Biotechnology at LUANAR Bunda Campus said the trials represent a critical phase in Agricultural Biotechnology research, aimed at enhancing food security and agricultural sustainability.
Meanwhile Andrew Jamali Head of Research at National Planning Commission has hailed the research saying that it is a way to go to achieving one of the country’s blueprint elements on improving agricultural productivity and also a component of food security.
