Staff Reporter
Seed Co, Africa’s leading seed producer, marked its 85th anniversary with a celebration of its legacy in agricultural innovation and regional expansion, showcasing its role in boosting food security across the continent.
Founded in 1940, the company has grown from a small Zimbabwean operation into a pan-African leader, supplying over 50,000 metric tons of seed annually and generating $120 million in revenue.
Group CEO Mr Morgan Nzwere credited strategic partnerships, research investments, and a farmer-centric approach for the company’s success.
Pioneering Breakthroughs
Seed Co has been a trailblazer in seed technology, including:
– The world’s first single-cross hybrid maize (SR52, 1952).
– Africa’s first streak-resistant maize (SC611/613, 1990).
– The highest-yielding conventionally bred maize in Africa (SC727, 21 tons/hectare).
Regional Expansion
Since listing on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange in 1996, Seed Co expanded into Zambia (1998), Mozambique (2000), Kenya (2006), and Tanzania (2009), later entering West and North Africa.
A 2014 alliance with France’s Limagrain—the world’s fourth-largest seed company—accelerated access to advanced breeding technology and new markets.
Investing in the Future
The company reinvests 10 percent of turnover into R&D, operating research stations in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, and Kenya.
Recent investments include a $12 million seed drier in Zimbabwe and a $30 million regional processing plant in Tanzania.
The CEO paid tribute to key figures, including breeders like Michael Caulfield (52-year tenure) and Dr. Ephraime Havazvidi, whose work underpinned Seed Co’s success.
Looking ahead, the company aims to expand into climate-smart crops like rice and millet while strengthening hybrid vegetable seed production.
“Growth never stops,” said the CEO.
“Our mission remains clear: to ensure every African farmer has access to the best seeds.”
As Seed Co targets its centenary in 15 years, its focus on innovation and food security continues to shape Africa’s agricultural future.
Speaking at the launch of Seed Co’s 85th anniversary commemorations in Harare, Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu, who was represented by Industry Permanent Secretary, Dr Thomas Ushe Utete, praised the contribution of seed companies to the sector.
He said participation of seed companies in the value chain ensures a reliable supply of inputs, which boosts food production, reduces import dependency and stabilises market prices.
“The manufacturing sector receives 60 percent of its raw materials from agriculture, and we are encouraged that Seed Co is involved in the value chain by providing inputs for our industries as they are key raw materials sources,” said Minister Ndlovu.
Minister Ndlovu said the Government is implementing National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which is focused on enhancing value chains and driving structural transformation in the economy.
“The objective is to boost the manufacturing sector through value addition and beneficiation of agricultural and mineral resources,” he said.
Under NDS1, ten key manufacturing value chains have been prioritised, six of which are agro-based – cotton, dairy, fertilizer, leather, soya, and sugar.
The remaining four focus on plastic waste, pharmaceuticals; buses, trucks and engineering, iron and steel.