future harv/est - Search CIMMYT repository

564 K.D.S.M. Joseph and DB. Muthukudaarachchiand have sold to farmers. During the maha 1995/96 season, the Department of Agriculture with theassistance from private sector and AGENT (USAID sponsored) a multilocational field programmewas initiated to test the adoptability of an imported hybrid (Pacific 11) with a recommended OPVunder two fertilizer levels (Table 4). All seeds and fertilizers were provided to farmers in 'test kits'and the management was done by the farmers with the supervision of extension officers. Fourhundred and seventy five trial kits were planted in 5 districts and results of 252 locations wereanalysed (Table 4). On a overall basis, the yield increase due to the use of a hybrid variety was 15 %over the recommended OPV.One of the major constraints in promoting hybrids in Sri Lanka is low seed production. Atpresent, the demand is very limited and therefore, the total seed requirement will have to be imported.Development of local hybrids is essential but private sector will not invest money because of thelimited seed requirement. Also to realize the true potential of hybrids, proper management isrequired without this the impact of hybrids on production will be very limited.Owing to these limitations, an independent research programme to develop inbred lines andproduce hybrids was impractical in the past. However, with the increasing demand for maize. locallydeveloped hybrids are essential in the future. However, such a programme can not be handle singlehandedly by the national research system because of lack of financial resources and trained manpower. Therefore, it is essential that Sri Lanka collaborate with CIMMYT and other nationalprogrammes in getting technical assistance as well as inbred lines to strengthen the hybriddevelopment activities in the country.Seed productionIn Sri Lanka, the production of seeds of recommended varieties is handled by the DOA. Thebreeders provide the breeders' seed requirements and the Seeds and Planting Materials DevelopmentCentre of DOA does the multiplication upto certified seeds. For example, in 1996, the total extentplanted to maize was 34,937 ha and the seed purchased by farmers from DOA in that year was66,000 kg., which is sufficient only for 9 % of the cultivated extent. This indicates that only a verysmall extent is cultivated with quality seeds of recommended varieties. However, farmers are usingtheir own seeds of recommended varieties. The replacement ratio of farmers' own seeds with certifiedseeds is also very low. However, very limited information is available on the spread of new varieties,their adoptability and other short comings of already recommended varieties. Therefore, this is animportant area that economists should concentrate in the future because the characteristics of futurevarieties will depend on the feed back that scientists get from farmers.Farmers knowledge on seed production is poor. Shelling seeds particularly at high seedmoisture content. can damage the seeds which may enhance their deterioration due to environmentalconditions and permit invasion of disease organisms. Early harvesting at high seed moisture contentor delayed harvesting due to lack of man power can lead to the production of low quality seeds as thecase may be more often.Most of maize farmers are at subsistence level and do not posses any improved storage facilitiesneeded to store their planting materials. It has been realized that more often the seeds material thatthey used are of low germinability due to seed ageing both in the storage as well as in the soil. Thiscan lead to poor crop stand and also lodging at early stage of growth.Future strategyFuture requirements of maize have been estimated and unless these requirements are producedlocally, a large quantity will have to be imported. The fluctuations in supply of maize will directlyaffect the poultry industry in the country. When demand is met from sources outside the country, anyshort supply in the world market will directly affect the price of maize. Therefore, it is essential thatmore emphasis needs to be given in increasing the productivity and appropriate acreage expansion.