What is right seed?
A right seed is one that is bred well, stored well and is pure genetically (can germinate well).
Fake seeds germinate less, making farmers lose interest in the farming business. However, working together with love and passion can eliminate fake seeds from the market completely.
Researchers and farmers together can push fake seeds from market totally and this will bring a big number of people to join agriculture as a business.
Prof. Phinehas Tukamuhabwa, a lecturer at Makerere university Agricultural Research Centre for soybean improvement and development, says he joined soybean research because it is a miracle crop with many uses such as soybean oil, milk, bread, meat, cake and for animal feeds like cattle, dogs and pigs.
He added that a lot needs to be done by a farmer to get the right seeds for money or for planting in the next season. He advises farmers to embrace the following practices;
Cleaning
- Harvest when ready, i.e, when the crop has dried completely, and leave the trash in the garden to work as manure and take only the grain at home.
- Clean the grain thoroughly to remove all the molds and dirt. Shell the seed to remain with only the needed seed.
- Dry your seed up to 12% moisture content.
Pack your seeds in sacks when thoroughly cleaned to prevent them from getting spoilt.
Storage
- Storing in a cool atmosphere.
- Seeds have a life in them; therefore, your seeds don’t need too much heat and moisture which can make not germinate at all when planted.
- Seeds should be rested on pallets not directly on the ground to control them from absorbing moisture.
- Do not to put the seeds on the wall because water perforates through the wall into seeds and the house or store should not be very hot. For farmers in hot areas like northern Uganda, it is advisable to have a grass-thatched store so that it is cool and well-ventilated, but dry and cool. This makes your seeds live longer.
