Prime Seed’s new agric vision

A fortnight ago, invited guests at an international field day at Prime Seed, heard guest speakers from South Africa and Europe share their knowledge and expertise about the art of growing vegetables and flowers. Horticulturalist and owner Willie Ranby, who started Prime Seed (Pvt) Ltd in 2002, is himself a master of this art.
Stretching as far as the eye can see are rows of cabbages, cauliflowers, onions, leeks, broccoli and pok choi. Out of season sweet corn and baby corn raise their tasselled heads, and watermelon plants are about to come into bloom. Between rows of fodder beet and broad beans flourish nasturtiums, marigolds, rue and coriander, a combination of plants used by Permaculture enthusiasts to reduce garden pests.
On the opposite side of a grassy track, the display of flowers in full bloom could rival Chelsea Flower Show. Shaggy pink and white Cleome tower above silvery blue petunias, while multi-coloured verbena alternate with masses of petunias in soft pinks and mauves.
Tall antirrhinums (snap dragons) are flanked by rows of snowy white petunias and citrus coloured viola, while a new breed of jewel-coloured vinca, the hardy favourite found in every garden, outshines the ever-popular dianthus and dahlias.
Horticulturalist and manager, Andrew Fox explained how Prime Seed is able to offer a complete package to would-be growers of both flowers and vegetables. Seed, chemicals and fertilisers, together with specialist advice and planting guides, are available to all farmers, whether commercial, small scale or rural. Working closely with the multi-national company, Syngenta, Prime Seeds is offering farmers a new vision for agriculture. Growers are encouraged to think about their land and crop in a holistic, integrated way.
Rather than saving seed from their previous crop, growers are encouraged to buy hybrid seed. Extra yield from good crops improves food security, and encourages even small scale
farmers on 1 hectare plots to play their role in feeding the nation.
Of special interest is the hydroponic tomato tunnel. In the heady, hothouse atmosphere, you can almost hear the rustle of growth as flourishing tomato vines spread outwards and upwards, producing bunches of luscious, perfectly formed fruit. Assistant manager Tatu Pfuwai explained how the vines are planted in plastic ‘sausages’ filled with pine bark, and fed with water and fertilisers. Unlike open field tomatoes, they are unaffected by the disease causing nematodes found in soil. Protected by the plastic tunnel, they are never subject to frost.
Visitors flock to Prime Seed Research and Nursery daily, not only to gaze upon rows of Hercules cabbages, beds of red and green baby leaf lettuce and the patchwork quilt of petunias, gazanias, verbena and other flowering annuals, but also to buy fresh vegetables from the farm store.
If your vision is to create your own garden of Eden, nothing could be easier than paying a visit to Prime Seed (Pvt) Ltd, 318 Hillside Road, Msasa, to choose seed, chemicals, and fertiliser. No need to research cutting edge technology or to be a plant scientist: all the advice you need to get growing comes with the package. – www.primeseed.co.zw