Celebrating 85 years of innovation, growth, impact in agric

As we celebrate our 85th anniversary, I am filled with pride and gratitude for the incredible journey that has brought us to where we are today.

We reflect on our journey and express our heartfelt appreciation for the unwavering support we have received as an organisation.

From humble beginnings, we have grown alongside our nation, adapting to its challenges and celebrating its triumphs.

For over eight and a half decades, Seed Co has been deeply rooted in the heart of Zimbabwean agriculture.

Our continued geographical expansion, now encompassing 17 African countries, is a testament to the efficacy and reliability of our products.

This expansion is driven by our untiring commitment to research and development, ensuring that our seed varieties meet the evolving needs of farmers and contribute to enhanced agricultural productivity.

Seed Co operates in 35 countries in Africa with direct operations in Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, Ghana, South Africa and several other nations.

Through it all, we have remained committed to our core values on which our 85-year legacy has been built:

Farmer centricity: Putting customers at the centre.

People our pride: Results through people with passion.

Knowledge: Information advantage.

Teamwork: Work and win together.

Quality focused: Drive for quality and value.

Innovation: Learning and applying.

We have witnessed generations of farmers cultivating the land, and we have been privileged to provide them with the seeds that have yielded bountiful harvests.

Seed Co Ltd evolved out of the Rhodesia Seed Maize Association (RSMA) founded in 1940 in Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia).

The RSMA changed to ZSMA at independence in 1980.

The role of ZSMA was to produce and market certified seed of maize varieties improved or bred by Government breeders.

In 1952, RSMA became the first in the world to produce and market a single-cross hybrid, SR52, bred by government breeders. SR52 was so outstanding in performance on large commercial farms that smallholder farmers adopted its cultivation in Zimbabwe’s areas with long rainfall seasons.

Government breeders immediately recognised the need to breed maize hybrids suitable for rural and smallholder farmers predominantly occupying marginal areas of the country. Three-way hybrids of early to medium maturity —R200, R201, and R215 — were then produced.

As such, Seed Co’s breeding efforts and seed distribution of maize have been and will continue to be directed towards both small-scale and large-scale farmers in Africa.

In 1974, RSMA began maize breeding projects at the now world-renowned Rattray Arnold Research Station. Maize hybrids SC501, SC401, SC601, and SC701 were subsequently released under the Seed Co-op breeding effort.

Seed Co has named its maize varieties after animals to evoke emotions and connect with customers.

This is an effective way to communicate key information about seed types and characteristics to farmers. This iconography concept has helped farmers quickly recognise Seed Co products and the associated information.

The Seed Co-op was formed in 1982

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as a result of the amalgamation of ZSMA and the Zimbabwe Crop Seeds Association.

Maize, wheat, and soya bean product development and evaluation research rapidly expanded into an African regional undertaking.

Seed Co realised the need to develop seed products in ecological conditions most similar to the end users’ environment.

As such, additional research stations were established in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, and Kenya.

Seed Co’s breeding programmes have released a total of 226 varieties to date.

The Maize Breeding Programme has released 124 maize hybrids, some widely adapted, others proactive in disease resistance and drought stress tolerance, offering a wide choice within maturities ranging from the ultra-early (300 series) to the very late (800 series) maturity hybrids.

The maize programme has scored firsts in breeding the de novo ultra-early maturity class in maize (300 series), durable MSV, GLS, and mottle virus resistance, as well as very high-yielding hybrids in the late maturity series.

In addition, Seed Co’s soya bean breeding programme has released 45 elite soya bean varieties in Africa.

The programme is globally renowned for its leadership in developing native resistance to the devastating soya bean rust disease, which is a pandemic.

Furthermore, the wheat breeding programme has released 25 wheat varieties.

It is the first programme in Africa to put 10-tonne spring wheat varieties under irrigation, raising the Zimbabwe and Zambia wheat national yield levels to 6,5 tonnes per hectare, second only to Argentina on the world stage.

Also, Seed Co’s new crops breeding programme has released varieties across species: two sorghum OPVs and five sorghum hybrids for food and brewing, three groundnut, 11 sugar bean, two sunflower, three pearl millet and six African pea varieties.

As we celebrate this momentous occasion, we reaffirm our commitment to:

Continue providing Zimbabwean farmers with the best quality seeds.

Further improve our research and development.

Strengthen our relationships with the farmers.

We extend our sincere gratitude to our farmers, our employees, our partners, and the entire farming community for their trust and support.

We look forward to many more years of working together to cultivate a prosperous future for our nation.

As we look to the future, we are excited to continue playing a vital role in Zimbabwe and Africa’s agricultural sector.

We will continue to invest in research and development to improve the quality and yield of our seeds and provide innovative solutions to the challenges faced by our farmers.

To our customers, partners, and stakeholders, I extend my sincerest gratitude for your support over the years.

We are honoured to have had the opportunity to serve you, and we look forward to continuing to work together to build a brighter future for our farmers.

We believe that by investing in quality seeds and embracing sustainable farming practices, we can build a resilient and prosperous agricultural future for our nation.

We are committed to partnering with you every step of the way, from planting to harvesting.

We are more than just a seed company; we are your partners in growth. We are dedicated to delivering innovation, quality, and support to ensure your success and contribute to the food security of our nation.

Happy 85th anniversary to Seed Co, and thank you for being a part of our journey.-herald