September 27, 2011

Georgia to double funding for hybrid corn

The Agriculture Ministry of Georgia in support of the Corn Production Programme plans to double both funding and cultivation area of hybrid corn in 2012.

Corn Production Programme was one of the most large-scale and successful programmes of previous years as according to the Black Sea press.

At present, the average yield of corn makes six tonnes per hectare, thrice more than previous years.

In Kakheti, hybrid corn harvest and Rtveli (vintage) are carried out simultaneously. They said at the Ministry that storage of the corn yield was possible for everybody at a warehouse constructed up to modern standards in Lagodekhi district (East Georgia) by the Agriculture Ministry and the Agriculture Corporation.

The Agriculture Ministry reports, that registration of farmers wanting to take part in the programme will start on October 1, 2011. Several units of combines have been already delivered in Georgia. Some additional combines will be delivered soon. The combines will gather every granule of corn.

This year the Ministry plans to export at least 100,000 tonnes of hybrid corn.

Agriculture Corporation, in frames of support to corn-growing, started distribution of high-quality certified corn seeds in the regions of Georgia on March 1.

Programme of support to corn-growing has been initiated by the Agriculture Ministry of Georgia. It aims at improving both the yield and quality of corn. The programme is implemented by the Agriculture Corporation. Supply of seeds of hybrid-type corn to farmers is envisaged under the programme.

The seeds are both high- and stable-yield as well as disease- and drought-resistant ones. Four types of corn are represented in the project. Company Pioneer, winner of the tender, owns 30% of corn seeds at the world market.

In October 2010, the Agriculture Ministry of Georgia reported on launch of a corn-growing project in frames of the Programme of Cereal Crops Production.