Pumpkin Research Centre

Winsor is a new F1 pumpkin cultivar that is resistant to white rust. Up till now pumpkin production in the subtropics had not been viable due to extreme pressure from disease. This new cultivar could be the answer to making healthy food a reality for the needs of Africa.

Source: http://www.seedmarketing.co.za/index.php?main_page=page&id=1&chapter=0

The company was established in 1947 with the primary objective to market lucerne seed for the members of the organization. Later on, the company started to import lucerne seed to allow members access to a wider variety of lucerne seed cultivars and new genetic varieties.

During 1982 we started with vegetable seed production. The Oudtshoorn area is ideal for the production of short day onions, spring onions, cabbage, carrot and beet. To withstand the risks of market fluctuations, the company decided to launch its first vegetable seed brand, AFRIGRO. The company also started its own stock seed maintenance programme and since then all high quality seed is being produced from our own unique stock seed.

The company also obtained distribution rights for exclusive hybrid seeds to supply a specific demand in the market and exclusive agreements were signed with the companies Zeriam and Bejo. Several other arrangements for marketing of exclusive products exist.

To strengthen our position in the pasture seed market and to expand our lucerne seed market, we decided to take over the pasture seed programme of Sensako during 1997. During 2003 we also acquired the product range of Advanta. Pasture seed is now one of our main product groups in the company and Klein Karoo Seedmarketing can now be seen as market leader in the field of pasture seed distribution.

Klein Karoo Seedmarketing also entered into the Agronomical seed market and maize and sunflower were added to our seed portfolio. We market our sunflower seed under the Hysun brand. We are also involved in a breeding programme for white and yellow maize.

Our company focus is on three major markets.

1. Professional farmers
a. for vegetable seed,
b. for pasture seed,and
c. for agronomical seed.

2. The seed export market
3. Home gardeners and small part time farmers.

Seed of excellent quality is being marketed in different packaging sizes and various value added products to these specialized markets.

For more go to http://www.seedmarketing.co.za