SINGIDA, Oct. 14 -- Think before you plant is a message that should be heeded by any farmer. Here, as the planting season approaches, maize farmers in Singida Region have been urged to make informed decisions about the seeds they purchase, with agricultural experts emphasising the importance of verifying seed authenticity and selecting varieties suited to local growing conditions to reduce production risks and improve productivity.

The call comes at a critical time for smallholder farmers, who must commit money, labour and other resources to land preparation and crop production long before they can determine the outcome of the harvest. For many households, choosing the right seed is therefore more than a routine farming decision; it is a...