CSIR, Newage Unveil ‘Nkomo’ Hybrid Maize to Strengthen Food Security and Boost Farmer’s Income

CSIR, Newage Unveil ‘Nkomo’ Hybrid Maize to Strengthen Food Security and Boost Farmer’s Income

In a major step towards enhancing Ghana’s agricultural productivity and ensuring long-term food security, the CSIR-Crops Research Institute, in partnership with Newage Agric Solutions Ltd, has officially outdoored a newly developed hybrid maize variety known as “Nkomo” at Fumesua in the Ashanti Region.

The introduction of the Nkomo hybrid maize reflects a strategic collaboration between scientific research and private sector investment aimed at transforming maize production in Ghana.

The initiative aims to address key challenges facing farmers, including the impacts of climate change, low soil fertility, and pest infestations, while enhancing overall crop yields.

Speaking at the lecture, Professor Maxwell Darko Asante, the Director of the Institute and also a Chief Research Scientist and rice breeder, highlighted the significance of the new maize variety, addressing food insecurity in the country.

According to him, the Nkomo hybrid maize has been carefully developed to produce higher yields, withstand environmental stress, and resist pests and diseases. He noted that these qualities position the variety as a vital tool in Ghana’s efforts to achieve food sufficiency and agricultural sustainability.

Professor Asante further stressed that beyond improving crop performance, the adoption of the Nkomo variety will help increase farmers’ incomes, stimulate economic activities in rural communities, and contribute to national development.

To ensure the availability of the seeds across the country, the institute has partnered with Newage Agric Solutions Ltd to drive the commercialisation and large-scale distribution of the product.

Supporting this, the General Manager of the company, Martin Tettey Nartey Junior, stated that the collaboration is focused on making the improved seeds accessible and affordable to farmers nationwide.

He emphasised the critical role of the private sector in bridging the gap between agricultural research and practical farming, adding that measures are being put in place to expand production and distribution to reach farmers in both rural and peri-urban areas.

Mr Nartey also called on the government, development partners, and relevant institutions to support the initiative, describing it as a transformative effort capable of reshaping Ghana’s agricultural sector.

The outdooring of the Nkomo hybrid maize comes at a time when stakeholders in the agricultural value chain are intensifying efforts to modernise farming practices and improve food production.

With sustained collaboration, investment, and policy backing, the initiative is expected to serve as a catalyst for agricultural transformation, improve livelihoods, and strengthen Ghana’s position in regional food production