New burley and flue cured tobacco varieties with high yielding and disease resistant properties have been discovered, courtesy of the Agriculture Research and Extension Trust (Aret).

Aret Chief Executive Officer, Albert Changaya, said the Trust would release three barley varieties namely FH 4, FH 5 and FH 6 which are resistant to other diseases, aimed at getting better yields.

Agriculture in Malawi has seen similar strides, as last year the cotton sector boasted of modified seed. The CEO of Cotton Council of Malawi (CCM), Madaika Cosmas Luwanda, spoke of a genetically modified organism (GMO) or genetically modified pest resistant cotton variety, which produces an insecticide to combat bollworm.

Last year in June, Malawi Improved Seed Systems and Technologies (FtF MISST) released 50 enhanced varieties of seeds, in an effort to improve agricultural productivity in the country. On the other hand, the Department of Agriculture Research Services unveiled new soya bean varieties while Chitedze Research Station had planted at least eight different varieties of soya beans in January to test which variety would stand out.