El Salvador’s National Centre for Agricultural and Forestry Technology (CENTA), part of the Ministry of Agriculture, presented a new maize variety on 15 October: CENTA Biofortic HQ-13, developed together with the organisation Semilla Nueva.
In rainy-season trials the variety produced 132.98 quintals per manzana, 43% more than the Biofortic H-59 hybrid presented in 2025. In the dry season its yield (76.75 quintals per manzana) was similar to its predecessor’s.
According to CENTA, the new maize has 53.7% higher zinc content and 90.5% more lysine, an essential amino acid. It also has well-developed roots and strong stalks that help keep it from falling over.
CENTA’s executive director, Odette Varela, highlighted the higher yield and enriched nutritional profile. AgroLatam notes that results in the field will depend on water, soil, climate and farming practices.
