The
Kernel Magazine Issue 5 | March 2015
EXCLUSIVE:
75 ANNIVERSARY th
CELEBRATIONS
FEATURES Research and development Page 6 75 years of excellence Page 23 The best just got better Page 24
The Kernel Celebration Edition
CONTENTS 03 05 06 09 18 22 24 26 29 30
EDITOR’S NOTE CEO’S NOTE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SBU’S 75TH CELEBRATIONS LOOKING BACK THE BEST JUST GOT BETTER OUR CULTURE OF TRAINING CSR GOVERNMENT: OUR STRATEGIC PARTNERS
EDITOR’S NOTE
75 in 2015... It’s a year to celebrate Marjorie Mutemererwa Head of Public Relations & Communications
I
T’S BEEN MORE than a decade, since I began my personal journey with Seed Co, the company. Of course, my parents had long introduced me to
the famous SR52. While my task is largely to manage stakeholder perception of Seed Co, internally and externally- I’m happy to report that the journey has been long and fulfilling.
a better world! To all our valued stakeholders: the men and women who dared to dream and planted the Seed company in 1940, the various African governments that have helped birth us, seed growers and farmers who have nurtured us and our dearest customers who have watered our seed throughout the 75 years with their
Seed Co has continued to grow as a household name
unwavering loyalty, on behalf of the Seed Co group , I
and the passion of the brand is shown through its
thank you! We will endeavour to fulfil our mission to be
people. Ours is indeed a passionate team all round.
the best in the world at what we do. Our pledge is to
From our research teams: passion through each seed,
continue to research and offer our farming community
even though they hide meekly in some lab room. Our
the best possible seed for each season and climate!
always ready to share a bud on our various brands. The management team and our esteemed board members, always cracking... looking for growth opportunities. All I can say at this momentous occasion of our 75th is.... well done Team Seed Co. May we continue to blossom, with multiplied passion. Tinotenda, Ngiabonga! Let us continue to reinvent ourselves, from each person’s desk to the fields for a better Zimbabwe, a better Africa and
The Kernel Magazine • March 2015
marketing and sales team, another passionate team,
Again let me also take this opportunity to say, it’s a new year, another chance to love, live and dream. What a great start for us to share this momentous celebration with you all, thanks again! Here’s to another 75 years of passionately seeding Africa and the world! God Bless! Marj
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CEO’S NOTE
Our enduring research and breeding programmes remain the cornerstone of our operations Morgan Nzwere Group Chief Executive Officer
It is with great honour, pride and humility that I write this message on the momentous occasion of this major milestone in the history of Seed Co. Allow me to extend a special and warm thank you to all our partners who have stood with us over the past 75 years of seed research and breeding leadership and even more importantly, look towards our future – the next 75 years and more.
The Kernel Magazine • March 2015
The impact business has in our everyday lives is often overlooked. But significant anniversaries provide an opportunity to reflect upon achievements and the impact our products have on the world we live in. In saying this, I take great pride in the fact that the products we produce help feed nations; improve the quality of our lives and are the source of the various raw materials that power our agro-economies. Above all, I also have tremendous pride in the people who work hard to ensure that our countries and farmers in particular, have access to the best seeds to undertake their farming operations to their best potential levels.
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reliability. We recognise where we have been and take the next step in fulfilling our vision and delivering on our growth strategy to make our seeds the farmers’ first choice in most parts of Africa beyond the 15 African countries that we currently operate in. This diamond anniversary recognizes that we have been in the seed business for the past 75 years, launching our first production seed variety in 1940; producing some of the best known varieties such as R201 and SR52. In the ensuing years, we have refined, researched and bred some of the best seed varieties. The result is that we have been at the forefront of seed breeding technologies that have SC727 that yields at 18 tonnes a hectare – the highest yielding seed maize in Africa – and created modern agriculture by moving the majority of our farmers from subsistence to farming as a business.
It is humbling to acknowledge and consider the efforts of so many people who worked so hard over the past 75 years to ensure that a good foundation was laid to build a company that we are today all proud of as one of the world’s leading seed houses. We pay tribute to all the ideas, the risks and the breakthroughs that the generations of workers offered up.
Seventy five years in business is no mean achievement and I am proud that we are one of the few companies in Zimbabwe that have been able to achieve this milestone. We understand the value of growth in our core markets and are committed to fight hunger on the African market; and have transformed Seed Co to be a far different business than what it was 75 years ago. We have diversified and expanded our operations, with strategic acquisitions and collaborative product development.
Let me also thank all our seed growers, agents and suppliers in all the territories where we operate, who make our products and serve our farmers with great diligence and through whose efforts, continue to make Seed Co such a wonderful and successful company that delivers seeds of the highest performance and
Our enduring research and breeding programmes remain the cornerstone of our operations, and key to meeting various challenges that face agriculture. Consequently, every year we expend huge amounts of resources to ensure that we continuously strive to provide farmers with products that perform
to their satisfaction; and improving the yield and tolerance of our products to droughts and diseases. As we celebrate our 75th anniversary, I am pleased that we have broken the barrier and developed an ultra-early maize hybrid for the benefit of farmers in the drier farming regions. Product improvement and enhancement across all product categories continue to be a major focus area. In this respect, going into the future, we will continue to expend a lot of resources in ensuring that our research and breeding programmes remain of a world class standard and responsive to any farming challenges to improve food security. Food security at both the household and national levels is an imperative that must be met. Through our various outreach programmes we are therefore looking at accelerating our efforts to focus more on increasing farm productivity to levels much higher than the one tonne per hectare that most of our farmers are getting. Working with various stakeholders we would want to ensure that our extension services are enhanced so that our farmers receive maximum support and assistance to increase their productivity. In conclusion, allow me to thank you most sincerely for celebrating this milestone with us and again thank you for your support over the past 75 years. Sincerely Morgan Nzwere - CEO
Chairman’s Note of Appreciation In celebrating 75 years, we are proud of our grounded past and how we have grown to become a listed Pan African company. We extend our most sincere gratitude to our all our valued stakeholders - the Seed Co family who have contributed to the company’s growth, the Government which enables us to promote best practice in the Agricultural sector and our customers whose loyalty defines us. We are a fiercely competitive company that believes in growth and are not shy of exploring regional expansion for a global reach. Our vision is to become a global seed powerhouse. Our strategic partnership with Limagrain will see us taking our research capacity to a higher level.
Pat Rooney | Group Chairman
Board of Directors
Chance Kabaghe Non-Executive Director, John Matorofa Group Finance Director, Pearson Gowero Non-Executive Director, Morgan Nzwere Group Chief Executive, John P. Rooney Acting Chairman, David E. B Long Non-Executive Director, Dahlia Garwe Non-Executive Director, Jean-Christophe Juilliard Non-Executive Director, Michael S. Ndoro Non-Executive Director, Dr. Charles M.B Utete Non-Executive Director, Bruno Carette Non-Executive Director
Seed Co - Limagrain Partnership
Bruno Carette
Michel Debrand
The Kernel Magazine • March 2015
Jean-Christophe Juilliard
Seed Co and Limagrain share the same approach of agriculture and parallel histories. Seed Co was originally a cooperative created by farmers in 1940. Limagrain comes from a local cooperative which started in 1942. Both Seed Co and Limagrain have expanded gradually by harmoniously combining local and international activities through the development of various hybrids maize seed production and a strong commercial network to become recognised international groups. In the two groups, research and breeding programs providing successful varieties are strongly linked to the history of the two companies and are contributing to the development of the activities.
Promoting innovative and responsible solutions for all types of agriculture (from big commercial farms to small family farms) is the common goal of Seed Co and Limagrain. In 2050 all farmers will need to be mobilised to increase world agricultural production by 70 % and meet the needs of 9.6 billion inhabitants (8.3 billion by 2030!) and for Africa 2.4 billion in 2050, and 1.6 billion in 2030. In this context, innovation is the foundation for major changes in agriculture especially plant breeding. Seeds require an international dimension and strong investment in research. Limagrain’s contribution to Seed Co has brought new capital, which will be used by Seed Co to sustain its growth through Africa, and inputs in technology to develop the research activity in the area of genotyping, phenotyping and dihaploïdisation to fast track generations. Specific agreements for germplasm exchanges have already been signed. A project of collaboration for vegetable seed is on the 2015 agenda.
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Research and Development... Gordon Mabuyaye | Maize Program Lead Breeder
Tegwe Soko | Wheat, Soyabean & Complimentary Crops Lead/ Wheat Breeder
Michael Caulfield | Senior Maize Breeder
Darlington Mtetwa | Lead of Cotton Program & Technical Services
Paul Rupende | Senior Maize Breeder
Jacob Tichagwa | Senior Soyabean Breeder
Walter Chivasa | Group Product Evaluation & Advancement Manager
Dr. Lennin Musundire | Senior Maize Breeder
Rodreck Gunundu | Maize Breeder
Caleb Souta | Complimentary Crops Breeder
Themba Mutuvira | Maize Breeder
Farai Ziweya | Seed Production Research Officer
Dr. Ephraime Havazvidi | Head of Research
Dean Muungani | Senior Maize Breeder
Dr. Amritendu Msira | Senior Maize Breeder
The Kernel Magazine • March 2015
Certified Through Decades of Research
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SEED CO GROUP RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT (R&D) GROWTH VECTOR 1940 TO DATE SEED CO R & D HISTORY: 1940-1995 • Seed Co Ltd was born out of the Rhodesia Seed Maize Association (RSMA) founded in 1940 in Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia). The acronym RSMA changed to ZSMA at Zimbabwe Independence in 1980. • The role of ZSMA was to produce and market certified seed of maize varieties improved or bred by Government • ZSMA beat the world in being the first to produce and market a single cross hybrid, SR52, bred by government. • SR52 was so outstanding in performance in large commercial farms that the small holder farmers envied and adopted its culture in areas of Zimbabwe with long rainfall season • 80% of breeding effort and seed distribution of maize has been and will continue to be directed to small holder sector, making Seed Co a largely small holder company in Africa. • The Zimbabwe Government Breeders immediately saw the need to breed maize hybrids suitable for rural and small holder farmers predominantly occupying the marginal areas of Zimbabwe. • Three-way hybrids of early to medium maturity – R200, R201 and R215 were then produced and marketed by ZSMA for small holder adoption with outstanding boost in grain yield of maize in these communities. Maize Hybrids SC501, SC401, SC601 and SC701 were subsequently released under Seed Co-op breeding effort. • Appropriation of seed pocket sizing and reduced seed price of 3-way hybrids further encouraged adoption of high performing hybrid culture in the small holder agricultural sector.
SEED CO R & D BOOST AND REGIONALISATION: 1996 TO PRESENT DAY • Flotation of Seed Co-op shares on the stock market to become Seed Co Ltd in 1996 up to this day, encouraged further local and foreign investment towards plant breeding research, increased seed production capacity plus local and regional seed distribution. • Maize, wheat and soybean product development and evaluation research correspondingly fast grew into an African regional undertaking. • Seed Co pioneered release of grey leaf spot resistant hybrids at the very onset of this disease incidence in Zimbabwe, with SC625. SEED CO REGIONAL RESEARCH CENTRES • Seed Co realized the need to develop seed products in ecological conditions nearest and similar to the end users` environment. • To date, Seed Co owns six Research Stations situated in Zimbabwe, Zambia , East Africa and West Africa. • The Umbeluzi Seed Co Research Station in Mozambique was closed down due to logistical problems. SEED CO REGIONAL RESEARCH CENTRES AT 2015 Station Date Est, Country Location & Ecology RARS Goromonzi
1972, Zimbabwe
KRC Kadoma
1996, Zimbabwe
SRS Stapleford
2001, Zimbabwe
MSRS in Copperbelt
2003, Zambia
LWSRC in Lusaka
2009, Zambia
EARC in Kitale
2004, Kenya Highlands
West Africa
2014, Nigeria
17O 16’ S 31O 03’ E Alt: 1341m R/fall: 865mm 18O 21' S 29O 50' E Alt: 1149m R/fall: 777mm (erratic) 17O 21' S 30O 54' E Alt: 1500m R/fall: 1000mm 13O 32’ S 28O 03’ E Alt: 1300m R/fall: 1500mm(Wet, humid) 13 O 27’ S 25 O 50’ E 01O 07' N 34O 53' E Alt: 1830m R/fall: 1500mm (cold) Gwagwalada/ Kaduna
Biotic & Abiotic stresses encountered GLS, MSV, Ht Heat & drought GLS, MSV, Ht, PLS Diplodia ear rots, NCLS, Ht, GLS,Rust, Septoria, Soyabean rust GLS, MSV, Soyabean RLB, Low pH, Ht,Wheat leaf rust, Septoria Highland rust, GLS, Ht, Ear rots, Cold tolerance Lowland rust, Ear rots, Ht, P.sorghi
NOVEL BREEDING TECHNOLOGIES Biotechnology laboratory has been established at the Seed Co Rattary Arnold Research Station near Harare to house Doubled Haploid production, Pathology and Molecular Breeding technologies.
SEED CO R & D BREEDER PERSONNEL TO DATE • The most experienced and competent breeders (Allan Rattray, Mike Caulfield, Rex Tattersfield, Ephrame Havazvidi, Paul Rupende, Jacob Tichagwa, Rob Olver, Barry McCarter, John MacRobert , Robert Henson and others) were initially engaged (1974-1983) to man the maize, wheat, soybean and small grain crops breeding programmes and also conduct seed technology and agronomy research. • A stream of high effective and proficient young and middle aged Breeders have since been recruited and sometimes internally developed to cope with increased scope of crop improvement research. • Seed Co Regional R & D Function is currently manned by 18 Maize Breeders, including an expatriate Indian recruit Dr A. Misra. Twelve are in Zimbabwe, Two in Zambia, Three in Kenya and One in Nigeria. There are three Soyabean Breeders including Mr. Jacob Tichagwa, the Legendary soyabean breeder renowned for his global breakthrough in soyabean rust resistance development. The Wheat Breeding Programme is manned by two breeders and a small grain crops breeding programme is manned by one breeder. • Seed Co has invested in developing its Breeders to match increasing crop improvement challenges: Incumbent Ephrame Havazvidi John Derera (Prof) Gorden Mabuyaye Walter Chivasa Elliot Tembo Herbert Masole Joseph Mito Tegwe Soko Hapson Mushoriwa Lennin Musundire Calvin Chikomba (late) Caleb Souta Temba Mutuvira Rodreck Gunundu Malven Mushayi Farai Ziweya Kelvin Simpasa (Zambia) Peter Mbogo
Development under Seed Co M.Phil, PhD, EDP PhD PhD MBA MSc, PhD MSc, CIMMYT Training MSc MSc, PhD MSc, PhD, MBA MSc, PhD MSc, MBA BSc, MSc BSc,MSc MSc BSc in progress BSc MSc Recently recruited
Position Head of Research Head of ACCI @UKZN Maize Lead PEA Lead Head West Africa Head: Zambia Head: Kenya Wheat Lead Soyabean Lead Senior Maize Breeder Head: KRC Compli. Crops Breeder Maize Breeder Maize Breeder Maize Breeder Maize Breeder Maize Breeder MLND Breeding
Special mention goes to Allan Rattary and Harry Arnold after which the Seed Co research hub station is named and also to Directors; Derick Belinsky (late), Ian John Ross (late), and Brian Black who contributed significantly in the establishment of Research Centres and chairing Research Committee meetings. IMPACT OF SEED CO BREEDING EFFORTS IN AGRICULTURE ACROSS AFRICA MAIZE • Seed Co Maize Breeding Programme has so far released 35 maize hybrids, some widely adapted, others proactive in disease resistance and drought stress tolerance, offering a wide choice within maturities ranging from very early to very late maturity hybrids. • Wide Regional adaptation shown by Seed Co hybrids: - The recently released 300 series (Tsuro); Sc301, SC303 will give significant relief in arid conditions of Africa with short season rainfall. - SC403, SC407 (Shoko in Zimbabwe & Zambia, Kanyani in Malawi, Duma 43 & 41 in East Africa) - SC627 (Shumba in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi, Simba in East Africa) - SC513 (Mbizi in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi, Punda Milia in East Africa) - SC719, SC721 and SC727 (Nzou in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi, Tembo in East Africa) - Now near release of SC 800 series (Twiza or Giraffe in East Africa) - Prodigious efforts are being invested in developing Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease (MLND) in East Africa. SOYABEANS • Seed Co has so far released 20 soyabean varieties in Africa. The Seed Co soyabean Programme is globally renowned for its leadership in developing native resistance to the devastating soyabean rust disease which is a pandemic. Soyabean rust resistant types include SC Squire, SC Saga, SC Status, SC Salama (Kenya) and SC Sequel.
The Kernel Magazine • March 2015
WHEAT & SMALL GRAINS • Seed Co Wheat Breeding programme has been the first to put ten tonne spring wheat varieties under irrigation in Africa, raising the Zimbabwe and Zambia wheat national yield levels to 6.5 t/ha, second after Argentina. The programme released pre harvest sprouting tolerant varieties (SC Scan, SC Superb, SC Scarlet, SC Nduna) and is now working on introgressing stripe and stem rust resistance. So far 25 wheat varieties have been released in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi by Seed Co Ltd. • Seed Co Complimentary Crops Breeding Programme, has released two sorghum OPVs; SC Sila (white) and SC Smile (for brewing), three groundnut varieties (SC Orion, SC Nyanda, SC Mwenje) and two sugarbean varieties (SC Bounty, SC Sharp).
When you grow, we grow too. 1940
1975
2015
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KUTSAGA SEEDS The source of the tobacco grower’s preferred style of a multidisease resistant and flavoursome authentic Zimbabwean leaf !
Congratulations to Seed Co Ltd on 75 years of excellence!
“Every Farmers Wish…Every Successful Farmer’s Choice”
Zimbabwe MD’s Note We plan to continue to transform Seed Co Zimbabwe Denias Zaranyika Managing Director
In February, Seed Co celebrated a truly outstanding occasion, our 75th anniversary! We got a chance to look back over the years and reflect on how our history has shaped us. Remembering the past (but without letting it rule us) is an important part of understanding who we are. In celebrating our 75th anniversary, the most important asset remains, the people (all Seed Co employees). It is indeed, the human resources that enabled us to achieve this milestone – and this means you and me as well as those that have worked for this company before us, for whom we must express our love, respect and appreciation. What they did was lay a strong foundation for which we continue to build this company to this day. Names that easily come to mind include John Durling and Barry McCarter, whose vision looked beyond our borders; Pat Devenish; Ambuya Chimonyo and many others, too numerous to mention.
Beyond that, we are also spending a lot of energy and resources to ensure that Zimbabwe and other territories where we are now operating have an overbearing Seed Co imprint so much so that every farmer, village and community must have their livelihoods solely dependent on Seed Co. We already have a profound impact on the lives of Zimbabweans and our economy to a point where we are the central focus of both government and industry activity. We want to remain so and as a business we are putting in place, measures to ensure that we
the complementary role that they play in our sector.
We are therefore mindful that it is you and me that will make this happen. As such we are taking deliberate and conscious measures to build on our human capital. In this respect, in the coming years, our key focus areas will be on skilling, reskilling and upskilling our human resource base at all levels.
In conclusion, let me once again applaud to you all – past and present Seed Co team members - for your dedication in building this company to what it is today.
At the same time, we have embarked on a strategic thrust that encourages working in teams. I must also pay tribute to our board and group staff, represented here by the Chairman, Dr Utete; and Group Chief Executive Morgan Nzwere thank you for your unflinching support, encouragement and advice. I also pay tribute to you all for your dedication and commitment in ensuring that we have rebuilt our seed grower base which has seen our seed production levels significantly improving. This allowed us, as a company, to have carryover stock from season to season, which I would want to believe is good insurance for product availability. While our primary focus remains to ensure that we have enough stocks of seed for our local farmers, we are also conscious that as a company we can also earn this country money from excess stocks through exports once we have reached comfortable levels of stocks in our warehouses. That extra stock should also assist us catalyse our operations towards doubling our profitability levels. As we move into the future, towards the next 75 years, we are mindful of the need for greater co-operation with all key stakeholders including central government and the relevant government arms such as AREX. We have done very well so far, but we need to continuously look at ways and means to enhance these relationships as they are important in our farm outreach programmes as well as encouraging
We know the amount of effort that you have put into your jobs and we assure you that your efforts are appreciated. With this in mind we, decided it was opportune to have this event to truly celebrate both our long history as well as our contribution towards making that history. We cannot reiterate it enough that the successful growth of our company is the direct result of you, our valued employees. Your dedication and commitment serve as a vital link in the chain which drives our operations. We are already looking into the future and have set our sights on Seed Co Zimbabwe doubling its profit by 2020 at the back of exploring and developing a successful vegetable business which should contribute at least 30% to profit after tax. We plan to continue to transform Seed Co Zimbabwe into a skills base for the Group; while at the same time tirelessly, aggressively and ruthlessly dominating the seed business in our market. In doing this, we will be guided by key core values that include passion to deliver; making quality the slogan in everything that we do. As we celebrate the significant milestone in the history of Seed Co, we invite you to enjoy all the activities that have been laid out for you as an expression of our sincere gratitude for the contribution you have made to our Seed Co’s success. Last but not least, we thank the Almighty for the last 75 years. We ask him to make the next 75 years productive, full of great legacy and history. We Look forward to the next 75 years.
The Kernel Magazine • March 2015
In this context, I am pleased to celebrate together with some of our colleagues;- retired and those who have ventured elsewhere. To them, I say thank you for your contribution to this great company. I have no doubt that you are equally pleased to find the company in a much stronger position with a footprint that now straddles across the African continent. Together with the current crop of men and women, we are striving to build on your legacy to ensure that Seed Co develops into a major and iconic company along the lines of the Coca Colas, Apple and Econets of this world.
continue to build this company into a formidable player within and without the seed sector.
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Zambia The past 75 years have been a glorious journey of many milestones and it gives me great joy to have been part of it; thanks to our visionary founders and dedicated team. As we celebrate this moment, it is time to reflect on our past, enjoy the several achievements and launch the next set of initiatives that will propel the Seed Co legacy for generations to come. It is pleasing to see how lives continue to be transformed across Africa through the Seed Co experience anchored on our well-bred cultivars. Let us continue to “Breed, Seed, Feed and Lead in Africa”.
Grace Bwanali | Managing Director Brian Mhango (Business Development Manager), Stanley Maluleka (Sales & Distribution) and Chance Kabage (Seed Co Zambia Board Chairman) at the new packaging launch.
Malawi
Market Development The introduction of subsidy program in 2005, (a remake of the Starter Pack Program of 1999 and the targeted Input Program of 2004) made Seed Co’s name on the market. The high brand performance assisted by aggressive marketing caught competitors napping, and it became an easy task to take over market leadership in the year.
The Kernel Magazine • March 2015
Dellings Phiri | Managing Director
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Background Seed Co Malawi was incorporated in 2000 but started real trading in 2001. This was Seed Co Ltd’s drive to grow outside the Zimbabwe market. The opportunity presented itself when the Malawi Government introduced Starter Pack program in 1999, in a bid to promote agriculture productivity. In 1999, a year before Seed Co Malawi was incorporated, Seed Co International pushed over 3,000mt of Seed Co hybrid maize seed into the Malawi market, through Farmers World, as an agent.
Growth Since 2005, the Seed Co brand share on the market has been growing and this has not changed until today, where, among 23 seed suppliers on the market, Seed Co Malawi still takes a share in excess of 45% of total volumes and turnover traded in the country each year. Three key factors have attributed to Seed Co’s success in Malawi: brand acceptance, capacity, and a highly aggressive and motivated team. Competing against world renowned brands viz. Monsanto, Pioneer, Pannar, etc, Seed Co has never given chance nor relented on leadership position to these brands.
Seed Co Zambia Quality Control Team
Status Development Today, 15 years in operation, Seed Co Malawi is a successful establishment, with its own business premises and commanding respect in the agriculture sector. In November, 2014, the new business premises were launched, within it, a brand new processing plant, with a capacity to process the country’s seed requirement in only four months. With a current staff compliment of 38, the business has been instrumental in the establishment of a sister organisation, Quton Malawi.
Minister Allan Chiyembekeza (Minister of Agriculture in Malawi) and David Long (Seed Co Non-executive Director)
Brand Development With only three employees in 2000, the company started engaging in serious brand development campaigns. The campaign included countrywide super demonstrations and field days. In no time the Seed Co brand, enhanced by the animal concept, swept across the country, like wild fire. Product Development Sensing the increasing demand for the Seed Co brand, the company started importing Seed Co hybrid maize seed and producing OPV maize seed locally from 2002. By 2003, domestic production of hybrid maize seeds commenced, this necessitated the installation of a processing plant in the same year. In 2004, staff compliment jumped to seven, assisted by contract employees.
Left to right: John Lungu (Quton Malawi MD), Minister Allan Chiyembekeza (Malawian Minister), David Long (Seed Co Non-executive Director), Morgan Nzwere (Seed Co CEO) and Delings Phiri (Seed Co Malawi MD).
Kenya
with three licensed Kenya Agricultural Research Institute varieties in KH600 – 19A, 20A and 21A. In 2014, we also enhanced the portfolio to include a whole range of vegetable seeds and this is already picking up well. In 2010, SeedCo Kenya was established as a new Strategic Business Unit. In the same year we set out to start local production, with successful trial production of SC403. The production department is now fully operational with a team to our annual requirements of fresh seed is met on time to supplement the imports from group reserves.
Kassim Owino | Managing Director
Agri SeedCo Ltd –Kenya Headquartered in Nairobi Kenya and carrying out its commercial activities under the commercial name Agri SeedCo Limited, SeedCo Kenya was registered in 2001. The unit was set up to with a clear mandate to carry out research to identify proprietary SeedCo varieties that would eventually be commercialized in Kenya. This came to be when the first SeedCo portfolio was released in Kenya in 2004 and was ready for first sales in 2005 through an Agency arrangement with Syngenta EA limited. SC 407 recorded huge success within the first three years of launch; this product was however withdrawn for the efficient to produce SC 403 in 2010. Since
introduction SC403 has literally become the product to beat in the early maturity category, with a market share of about 70% in its segment. SeedCo Kenya, with its attendant Research Station in Kitale, continued work of identifying additional products to expand product basket to enhance our value proposition to the Kenyan farmer. The portfolio now includes adaptable varieties ranging from ultra-early maturing varieties especially for the lowlands in SC 301 and SC 303; early maturing and flag-ship variety in SC 403, medium to mid-late medium altitude varieties in SC513, SC529 and SC 627 through to the late maturing highland segment with SC 719 and 727 and the very late maturing varieties
Tanzania
size has given the business a unique ability to be more efficient. The business unit has successfully championed and implemented a Single Pass Processing system. The processing model is highly efficient and employs a stringent output based remuneration system that is more cost effective. This “allows us to extend the great value to our farmers”. In addition, “we are proud that our plant is technically run by women-constituting 80 percent of our processing staff”. This noble empowerment initiative is characteristic and unique to our set up group-wide.
David Clemence | Managing Director
We have also entered into partnerships to enable us solidify our strengths in the face of the farmers and in this area working with a number of nongovernmental organizations and key county governments and we have won a number of trophies as the preferred seed company in a number of key regions. We are targeting to grow to a respectable and worthy service provider in the Kenyan Agro sector and a responsible corporate citizen in Kenya; and Yes, Together We Can.
farmers reach. “I am excited that this economic empowerment initiative has paid dividend and that Seed Co has been a part to this success. Tanzania presents interesting growth prospects. Given the sheer size of the population of 45 million people and maize planting of over 3 million hectares. Our top priority revolves around strengthening our local management capabilities and enhancing local seed production. We put a significant amount of training and benchmarking with other SBUs on a number of technical, marketing and financial inputs. In November 2014, we unveiled our new processing plant in Kisongo-situated 10km from the town of Arusha. The move demonstrated our determination to stamp strong leadership and growth intents in our sector in Tanzania. “We are determined to win the hearts and minds of the Tanzanian farmer”.
The Kernel Magazine • March 2015
As a business, we value the ethos of channel partnership and we have built a sustainable Route-To-Market network. Our investment in, In Market Storage units (IMS) has benefitted small operators who are essentially positioned in getting our seeds closer to the farmers. The IMSs have shown strong potential for growth while significantly enhancing our effective
The Kenya team has grown from 3 people in 2001 to 34 with five full functional departments of Research and Development, Production, Supply chain & Processing, Finance and with Sales & Marketing leading the go to market offensive and service delivery to the Kenyan farmers. We have managed to claim the number two position in the Kenyan market and claiming a substantial market share over the last three years.
Established in 2010, Seed Co Tanzania has achieved phenomenal growth and is on record as the only Strategic Business Unit that registered an operating profit in its first year of operation. The successful story is premised on an innovative management style that is largely driven by the ability to deliver superior value to the Tanzanian farming community. “Our journey has been anchored around conversion of farmers to appropriate Seed Co hybrid varieties”, remarks Dave Clements, the Managing Director of Seed Co East Africa. “From inception, we valued and appreciated the need to win the loyalty of the Tanzanian farmer by providing high quality and distinctive seed products that are high yielding”. Seed Co Tanzania is significantly smaller in terms of age, employment establishment, product basket and scale of operation. However, this
Part of the women staff compliment in the processing department
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Rwanda
Rwanda is a tiny land locked country located in east Africa’s great lakes region only a few degrees south of the equator. It is nestled between the massive Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), huge Tanzania, Uganda, and equally small Burundi. Described as “the land of a thousand hills” Rwanda’s geography is dominated by mountains to the west and savannah to the east where most grain is produced. The climate is temperate to sub tropical with two rainy seasons and two dry seasons.
Kasaija Banage | Country Manager
In the second half of 2012, at the invitation of the largest brewer in the country, Seed Co assisted a joint venture initiative develop a commercial farm to increase the local supply of maize for the beer production. In January of 2013 Seed Co registered a business in Rwanda increasing our footprint in east Africa. In the middle of the same year Seed Co assisted the government of Rwanda commission a new modern seed processing facility they had just built. We have since been allowed management of the same facility with a view to securing a long-term lease agreement.
The country has a young population with 43 per cent below the age of 15, and at 408 inhabitants per square kilometer is among Africa’s most densely populated.
Establishing a business unit in Rwanda effectively advances the beachhead on the yet untapped markets of the great lakes region countries, Burundi, Uganda, north and south Kivu of the eastern DRC.
Most of Rwanda’s 12 million people are rural based and involved in small-scale subsistence agriculture. Over the past two decades there has been a huge push by government to modernise all aspects of the economy prioritising agriculture.
The seed industry and agriculture in the Rwanda and the surrounding great lakes region is undeveloped and with close to 60 million people, provides an exciting new growth opportunity for Africa’s leading seed company.
20 years after the economy and population were devastated by the genocide of 1994 the Rwandan people have demonstrated to the world a most remarkable rebirth. Scoring extraordinary progress in health and hygiene, education and sports, food security, infrastructure development, ease of establishing a business and economic growth. Rwanda is renowned for its cleanliness, the proportion of women in parliament and other positions of leadership.
Talent identification, skills transfer and development, are a key priority for a new business unit. By initiating local seed production, processing and marketing Seed Co is privileged to be able to partner with the regions leadership to act as a development agent as Rwanda and its neighbours endeavour to ensure food security and sustained private sector driven growth in the agriculture sector.
Ethiopia
Seed Co International – Ethiopia – the Business license Achilles tendon!
Seed Co has made tremendous progress in Ethiopia since inception. The daunting task remains the prolonged wait for securing land and subsequently a business license to position Seed Co International Ethiopia to grow market share in its own brand.
The Kernel Magazine • March 2015
The business currently produces all its Seed through Alemayehu & Makonnen Farms who is currently the only Grower & Processor for SCI Ethiopia. Alemayehu is also a shareholder and primary marketer and promoter of Seed Co seed under his business license. Production of certified seed takes place at Halaba & Awash farms, both owned by our partner. The MLND disease is not present on both SCI-Ethiopia seed production farms. The SCI Ethiopia agronomist Assefa lodged our application for land with the Oromia & Southern Regions and other regions to ensure we get a business license. Seed Co International will consider opting for rain-fed land that is over 300km away from Addis and also the Araba Minch area in the Southern Region just to secure a business license. The new regulation now disallows the transfer of land from one investor to SCI-Ethiopia. It is however allowable for SCIEthiopia and the land owner to establish a PLC together in year 1 and agree with the land owner to completely exit thereafter.
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SCI-Ethiopia has successfully registered SC627, SC403 and recently, in 2014, SC719. Farmers are keen on SC403 due to its earliness, Aba Raya (SC627) was the first to be released and continues to impress farmers. It has recorded accolades in Jima Zonal Agriculture ,some 350 KM South West of Addis and East Hararghe Zonal
Discussion after the field visit at Adami Tulu ,2013
Agricultural office. SCI-Ethiopia has managed to release new products, successfully produce and popularize them through demonstration plots and field days. Government officials such as ministry of agriculture, regional agricultural bureaus NGOs like Care Ethiopia and SG 2000, seed industry supporting offices like Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA) and Integrated Seed Sector Development (ISSED), Maize Research Centers like Bako, Melkasa and Hawsa
and competitors like Pioneer have spoken highly of Seed Co products. In 2014 total SC627 certified seed production area was 120 ha (Halaba 40ha & Awash 80ha) and 480 tons were expected. SCIEthiopia is positioned to release more products and increase volumes once a business license is secured.
West Africa The following achievements registered to date:
have
been
- established an R&D station in Gwagwalada, FCT Abuja - licenced
2
products
from
local
research
organisations and released the 1st proprietary product in June 2014 - bulked up parental material required to produce certified seed - identified production areas within the maize belt Calvin Fambisai
and mid-altitude agro-ecological zones for 2015 wet season production, and - built a team that is competenet enough to deliver on the business unit’s 5 year growth plan.
Seed Co Nigeria – making a difference in Africa’s largest market! Seed Co leadership identified “proliferation” as one of the key strategic imperatives to focus on for the next 5 years. The key deliverable for the business development function is to develop new markets in order to realize Seed Co’s aspiration of dominating the Seed business in Africa. Seed Co Limited will continue to develop new seed markets and extend its reach in markets that it has entered. Seed Co will continue its growth march in Africa decisively. In the immediate term its frontier is the English speaking countries. Seed Co will continue to look for local partners, develop local talent and remain relevant to local contexts in all its operations. The Seed Co Group is seeking to expand into the new markets in West Africa and is in the process of setting up a fully fledged business unit in Nigeria to serve as a launch pad into the same region. Seed Co has entered into a Joint Venture (70:30 JV) with SARO AgroSciences, a local Crop Protection Products (CPP) entity to set up a seed company.
Seed Co Nigeria management has presented a business plan that sets up the strategic operational and financial direction this venture is going to take in order to position itself to contribute significantly towards the achievement of the Group’s strategic goal of a PAT of US$100 000 000 by 2020.
Seed Co Nigeria’s vision is to be “The dominant and distinct hybrid maize producer and pacesetter in Nigeria”. The Company will distinguish itself as the No. 1 real Hybrid Maize Company and Leader in innovation for yield enhancement, farmer support and hybrid marketing. The mission will summarily be to:
-c apture 15% share of the maize hectarage - produce and supply to market 15,000MT by 2020, and - supply quality hybrid maize seed that impacts 500,000 farmers. Seed Co Nigeria will achieve the following goals by 2020:
- Double Farmer Average Yield (Achieving at least 5T/ha) -D ominant Hybrid Market Share ≥ 60%, and -G row Revenue & deliver PAT: $4M, Volume: 15,000MT.
Seed Co Nigeria Limited is projecting a total sales value of US$28 million and a profit after tax of US$4.1 million for the year ending March 2020. The success of Seed Co Nigeria is in making sure that the following happens: - Developing a stable Grower base producing high quality affordable hybrid seed maize - Contracting Growers who are contiguous and are within the maize belt and mid-altitude agroecological zones - Supporting Grower by providing farming inputs, machinery and irrigation - Investing
in
product
awareness
through
workshops and demonstrations, and - Marketing products of high quality in terms of purity, germination, vigour and returns to farmer.
Seed Co has come a very long way in the past 75 years; it has managed to navigate through some very trying times and also been through some very good times. Throughout the past 75 years, Seed Co has been an integral part in farmer’s lives not only in Zimbabwe but in many countries in Africa. During my early years growing up in Mashonaland, I can remember my first exposure as a young boy to Seed Co was the “War against Hunger” adverts on ZBC. I still remember them very clearly today. Seed Co has always been a leader in research from the very first single cross hybrid in the world, to GLS resistance on our maize and rust tolerance in our soyabeans. James Glenn | Managing Director
From humble beginnings of a company started in
1940 by farmers for farmers in Zimbabwe. We are now selling our Seed Co products in 19 different countries in Africa. I have been lucky enough to be involved in Seed Co for the past 12 years and helped Seed Co expand and develop into Africa, we now have successful operations throughout Southern Africa, East Africa and are now extending our reach into West Africa. Through this development, the Seed Co team has become very cosmopolitan as we have incorporated many different cultures into the Seed Co team. I am honoured to be part of the Seed Co team celebrating our 75th year and I am sure we will be around for at least another 75 years.
The Kernel Magazine • March 2015
CCI
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Quton Zimbabwe Edward Mhandu | Managing Director
Pritiranjan Rath | Deputy Managing Director
Quton Seed Company is involved in the breeding and distribution of cotton planting seed. Once an operating division of the Cotton Company of Zimbabwe, in 2006, Seed Co acquired 100% equity in the company. Riding on the expertise and footprint of Seed Co in the region, Quton established two SBU’s in Tanzania and Malawi. An ISO 9001:2008 and 14001:2004 certified company, Quton distributes its products in Mozambique, Swaziland, Uganda and Zambia. In November 2014 Mahyco of India acquired 60% equity in Quton and Seed Co retained 40%. Mahyco brings new technology that includes hybrid seeds.
Tichaona Ravasingadi | Finance Director
Robson Dzviti | Production Manager
Petronella Gwasira | Marketing Manager
Quton Seed Company celebrates with Seed Co LTD on its 75th anniversary. We are proud to be part of the family.
Quton Malawi Quton Malawi would like to congratulate Seed Co and its entire family for its dedicated service to its markets for the last 75 years. It has assisted its customers socially, economically and financially. It is Quton Malawi’s belief that Seed Co will remain relevant for the next 75years. Keep it up Seed Co!!!!
John Lungu | Managing Director
Quton Malawi was formed as a 100% subsidiary of Seed Co International in 2011/12 season following two years of imports from Quton Zimbabwe. Since inception Quton Malawi has managed to supply
high quality cotton seed in Malawi for the first time. Quton Malawi is the third Quton business after Quton Zimbabwe and Quton Tanzania. Quton Malawi is in Lilongwe in rented premises at Area 28, Plot No. 30 in the Kanengo area. It has managed to put up a 2ton single pass Acid Delinting processing plant initially valued at $1.0 Million. With time the plant has been improved to almost double the initial investment.
The Kernel Magazine • March 2015
Quton Tanzania
Seed Co At 75 The business of seed is a humble way of feeding and economically empowering nations. This is just what Seed Co has done for the past 75 YEARS. As Seed Co celebrates 75 SOLID YEARS of serving various Central, Eastern and Western African nations, Quton Tanzania Limited is proud to be associated with this achievement.
Tariro Sithole | Managing Director
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The Tanzania cotton seed business was established five years ago and is now turning into a mature business through the capable nurturing by Seed Co. The experience accumulated over the 75 years in seeding and feeding nations has made it possible for Quton Tanzania Limited to solidly set foot and grow the cotton seed business in Tanzania. Today, the market has adopted use of Certified cotton planting seed, coming from
a history of using commercial back of the gin seed. Through management and staff’s various stakeholder engagements, the product is now a product of choice by the cotton farmer. The industry has realised the benefits associated with use of Certified cotton seed as the whole value chain namely the farmer, the ginner, the textiles and the nation begin to realise high profits. This position brings a lot of opportunities for business growth hence more years for the seed business. Farming is undoubtedly one of the obvious activities annually and this therefore guarantees additional years of Seed Co’s existence.
Congratulations to Seed Co on their 75th anniversary
1S TÂ Floor SAZ B uildin g, N or t h e n d Pa r k , B o r rowd a l e | H a ra re | Z i m b a bwe | Sw itch b oard ce ll: + 2 6 3 - 7 3 1 7 7 7 7 4 0 , 0 7 3 1 7 5 6 5 2 5 , 0 4 8 8 6 9 5 3
Zimbabwe
Mr Morgan Nzwere | Group Chief Executive Officer
Denias Zaranyika | Managing Director
Robin Jarvis | Head of Technical Services
Patrick Mutandwa | Head of Human Resources
Clive Mugadza | Head of Marketing
Sam Ruwisi | Head of Treasury
Marjorie Mutemererwa | Head of Public Relations & Communications
Davison Ncube | Regional Internal Audit Manager
Lloyd Stefano | Business Analyst
Felistus Ndawi | Finance Director
Leonard Mutunga | Finance Manager
Farayi Zvavamwe | Production Manager
Melody Chigerwe | IT Manager
Nick Traford | Processing Manager
Calvin Fambisai | Head of Business Development
Locadia Marongwe | Key Accounts Manager
Ivan Craig | Extension Services Manager
Tirivacho Vushemasimba | Quality Assurance Manager
Victor Mabika | Field Manager
Charles Munyoro | Senior Sales Agronomist
The Kernel Magazine • March 2015
John Matorofa | Group Finance Director
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The Kernel Magazine • March 2015
STAFF CELEBRATION IN PICTURES
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Zimbabwe
Employees at the 75th celebration
Denias Zaranyika greets long serving employees
Seed Co welcomes the delegates from the Ministry of Agriculture
Celebrations in progress
Fanuel Kujeke Seed Co Retiree and Michael Caulfield Senior Maize Breeder
Ethel Manyenga and Cecilia Ganya Lab technicians enjoying the celebrations
Morgan Nzwere welcomes Seed Co breeders
Staff members join in celebratory chorus
Seed Co long serving employee Lawrence Gororo
Seed Co Staff and Guests at the 75th anniversary
Pensioners & retirees at the 75th celebrations
Toast to 75 years of excellence
Head of PR joins Jah Prayzah at the 75th anniversary
Breeders take to the stage
Seed Co Senior Breeders that have served for years and have produced competitive varieties for the organisation
ANNIVERSARY DINNER
Seed Co Group
Michael S. Ndoro, Morgan Nzwere, Kassim and Mrs Owino
Morgan Nzwere and Daniel Chéron Limagrain CEO
Mr and Mrs Nzwere and Mr and Mrs Bwanali
Rob Jarvis, James Glenn and Reitha Ungere
Entrance of the Limagrain delegation
Mrs Blake with Paul Rupende (Senior Maize Breeder)
George Guvamatanga (Barclays Bank), Edwin Isacc Manikai (DMH) and John Mushayavanhu (FBC)
Limagrain CEO Daniel Chéron walks to the podium
Jean-Christophe Juilliard of Limagrain with Pat Rooney and Mrs Rooney
Seed Co Head of Pubilc Relations and Limagrain representives
Pat Rooney with Honorable Minister Chinamasa
John Matorofa and Dr Msira
A toast to 75 years of excellence
CEO hands over maize seed to the Honorable Minister Chinamasa
The Kernel Magazine • March 2015
Dr and Mrs Utete arriving at the 75th anniversary dinner
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ANNIVERSARY DINNER
Morgan Nzwere, Deputy Minister Hon Maxas Bweupe Ng’onga MP, Chance Kabaghe & Chief Chikanta just before the function
Limagrain representatives
Leah with the Limagrain CEO Daniel Chéron
Mr Chance Kabaghe with the Deputy Minister Agriculture & Livestocks - Hon Maxas Bweupe Ng’onga MP
The President of the Zambia National Farmers Union ( Dr Evelyn Nguleka chatting with the Deputy Minister Agriculture
Mrs Bwanali with Grower Mr Larry Kalala
Edgar Rupende chatting with Maxi Mbunji former ZBU Country Manager (Now with Harvest Plus)
Edgar Rupende with John Matorofa
Brian Mhango & Marjorie Mutemererwa chatting with The Chief Information Officer (Mr Stubbs Malambo) Ministry of Agriculture
Government officials from Ministry of Agriculture
Guests at the 75th Anniversary
Dr Evelyn Nguleka giving her speech
Chance Kabaghe, Chief Chikanta & Hon Bweupe Ng’onga MP following proceedings
Toasting the 75th
The Kernel Magazine • March 2015
Brian Mhango, Morgan Nzwere, Leah and Grace Bwanali
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Zambia
EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL EDITION
Marjorie Mutemerewa
Clive Mugadza
Patrick Mutandwa
Brian Mhango
Edgar Rupende
From t h e Editor’s Desk
Most times we forget the few individuals that work behind the scenes to ensure everything follows a perfect course. Passion to deliver is what these individuals exhibit every day. As the editor it is upon me to mention the captioned for working tirelessly to ensure the 75th anniversary went on smoothly. These individuals went over and above what was expected of them to ensure that the celebrations were a success, and a success they were. Sleepless nights, early mornings and working till the break of dawn, yet they did not ask to be recognised but simply performed their duties above expectations. Ladies and Gentlemen continue with the job well done.
Chiedza Mutizwa
Locadia Marongwe
Leah
Vanessa Babbage and Nyasha Muchinouta
Rejoice Muruviwa
Nicholletta Chauruka
Marjorie with the ushers (Mwape & Grace)
The Kernel Magazine • March 2015
Christine Mumbire with Oliva Mutukudzi
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The Kernel Magazine • March 2015
75 Y EA R S OF
EXCELLENCE The origins of Seed Co dates back to 1940. Seed Co Limited, a public listed company incorporated in Zimbabwe and has expanded into 15 different African companies. Seed CO Is quoted on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange, and is the leading producer and marketer of certified crop seeds in Southern Africa. The organization recently partnered with Limagrain the largest seed manufacturer in Europe and the 4th largest in the world. Seed Co develops and markets certified crop seeds, mainly hybrid maize seed, but also cotton seed, wheat, soya bean, barley, sorghum and ground nut seed. Most of hybrid and non-hybrid cereals and oil crop seed varieties are proprietary, having been developed and bred at Seed Co research stations through market-oriented research and breeding programmes. The seed is produced from Seed Co’s own parent seed under contract by an established producer network. Seed Co Limited is the leading seed company in Africa with breeding, production and distribution interests in 15 African markets. The group has a wide portfolio of seed products and other small grain crops.
The research team is dedicated to ensuring that Africa has been served with productive varieties in all regions by continuously breeding varieties that are suitable and adaptable in today’s ecological conditions. The Seed Co teams are forerunners in the release of disease tolerant hybrids with durable resistance to devastating streak and mottle viruses. Seed Co breeders continue to work tirelessly to ensure more varieties that are suitable and adaptable to all ecological environments are presented to the African market.
The Kernel Magazine • March 2015
Seed Co over the years has invested significantly in research and development enhancing seeds agricultural productivity. The organisation has seven research stations mandated to developing seed products in ecological conditions nearest and similar to end-users’ environments. These stations are situated in some of the countries it has expanded into namely Zimbabwe, Zambia and some East African countries.
Innovation and novel breeding methods are responsible for the success in the development of all the organisation’s successful hybrid varieties from the release of SR52, making Zimbabwe the first in the world to use a single hybrid commercially. This early development work was carried out principally by the late Mr H.C. Arnold and Mr. A.G.H Rattray after whom Rattray Arnold Research Station was named. In later years a blockbuster came on the scene, the SC727 recorded by the Art farm as the highest yielding variety across all national varieties in Zimbabwe. Yield records of 18 metric tonness per hectare have been achieved with this variety, while SC637 a medium maturing variety has shown outstanding performance, with some farmers achieving up to 16 tonnes per hectare.
When you grow, we grow too. 1940
1975
2015
23
THE BEST JUST GOT
BETTER Our traditional packaging served Seed Co well for a number of years until it was time to change. As is always quoted, change can only be constant. In 2013 the New Pack was finalized and Seed Co was ready to make a new impression, out with the old in with the new.
The Kernel Magazine • March 2015
All SBU’s welcomed the new packaging and unveiled it to all respective stakeholders. Launches where held mostly to educate and make the stakeholder aware of the packaging. The events attracted highly significant stakeholders from the trader, the farmer,
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and media to government officials. The important take offs was for the stakeholder to realize that without compromising product quality new packaging was coming on board. By improving packaging it was a move towards a stronger brand identity making the design more appealing to the mass market. After having dealt with many counterfeits with the previous packaging, protection off our consumers from fake products and providing integrity of the brand is an important factor. The design boasts a refreshing, modern design and provides unique colour features that are difficult to replicate.
Seed Co Zimbabwe: Unveiling of the new packaging
Seed Co Tanzania: Deputy Minister of Agriculture (Tanzania) inspecting Seed Co’s new packing at plant opening.
Seed Co Zambia: New packaging launch.
Seed Co Malawi: Team showcasing the organisations latest packaging
OUR CULTURE OF TRAINING
Learning Everyday Everyway is one of Seed Cos core values. Someone once said the only constant in life is change, but if you do not learn how do you then catch up? Looking at the world today significant changes have occurred in a space of a year, new technologies and systems, more so in the agriculture industry. To ensure that our farmers remain up to date with the changes we host annual field days across provinces enabling one on one and face to face farmer education. These events showcase Seed Co seeds capability in terms of quality and yield to the relevant stakeholders, as guests are able to see for themselves how the seeds can perform. In addition the team realised that the best way to ensure excellent quality is achieved is by educating from the beginning of the food chain. Annually growers are hosted, educating them on how to achieve high productivity with our parent seeds to ensure quality is not compromised. These operations
bring opportunities for in-house training on the essentials that give high production and an opportunity to air concerns and hear the resolutions. Seed Co is a learning organisation hence has considered its growth in the past 75 years. It is a requirement of each employee to engage in continuous learning programmes. To achieve this Seed Co has ensured that staff members are continuously learning new skills and techniques for personal and business growth, also for environment safety. In 2014 twenty employees from Seed Co Zimbabwe became qualified fist aiders and fire fighters. Moreover the first stage of the supervisory development programme for Seed Co Limited was conducted that included junior managers across all SBUs. Seed Co will ensure its employees and stakeholders are constantly developed in a bid to build a strong brand.
Quton Field Day
Edward Mhandu, Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Ambassador LIN LIN and ZFC Vice President B. Mukwende
Quton Field technicians demonstrating how to properly use Knapsacks when spraying pesticides
The Kernel Magazine • March 2015
RARS Field Day
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Dr Lennin Musundire giving agronomy advice to farmers and growers
Dr Ephraime Havazvidi, Denias Zaranyika explaining to honorable Minister Made the strengths and advantages of the Shumba variety SC637 at the RARS field day
Emergency Response team
First aiders graduating class
Fire fighters parade
Poka Yoke
Seed Co team gathers at the HICC learning how to do it right the first time (Poka Yoke)
Milton Kamwendo addresses Seed Co staff
Supervisory Development
Mr Zaranyika addresses the first Seed Co supervisory development class
Mr Chigu ZIM Facilitator taking the first Seed Co supervisory development class
OUR FARMERS Seed Co National Crop Farming competition best farmer 2013-2014 season in Mashonaland West Province
Personal profile
Name: Tawanda Bandamira Farming area: A1 Karoi District , Kasimbi Resettlement Seed Co Variety of choice: SC 727 What he said: Relationships are not always rosy they say, for me it’s been a beautiful journey of Seed Co bumper harvests year after year! I began my relationship with Seed Co in 2004 and have seen my life get better each year.
Seed Co Best farmer 2013-2014 season for Angwa North region
Farming for me began as a need, a solution for an income. Today I’m happy to say, I was awarded many prizes at Seed Co field days which have culminated in me winning the provincial award.
Personal profile
I’m very happy... thrilled to have the capacity to fend for my family in these tough times. My children are in good boarding schools, my family eats well, my home is beautiful and to top it all, I bought a Ford Ranger (2010 Model).I own a store at Kasimhuri shopping centre and a mill, that my community is able to benefit from.
Farming area: A1 Kuti Farm in Chinhoyi
Thumps up to Seed Co, long live to your brand that has helped me achieve my dream! Happy 75th anniversary...
Name: Stephen Murombedzi, married with 3 children
Seed Co Variety of choice: SC 727 What he said: Seed Co field days, are simply the best thing that could ever happen to a farmer. The acknowledgement of our efforts as men and women who till the land means a lot to us. I have personally leant a lot through the programmes that Seed Co does with AREX. While farming comes naturally to me because of
Management and staff of Acol Chemical Holdings Pvt Ltd t/a (TSA) wishes to congratulate SEEDCO Limited on their 75 th Anniversary. May you continue to excel in the seed industry TSA is proud to be associated with SEEDCO
my upbringing, I never imagined that one day I would send my children to” A” level let alone Chinhoyi University through farming! I’m proud to say today, I have two children doing A level at St Alberts and one at Chinhoyi University, thanks to farming!
The Kernel Magazine • March 2015
Through the knowledge I received, I have
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We have in stock: Herbicides Insecticides Fungicides Acaricides Suckercides Fumigants Fumigation sheets
become a more efficient farmer, I am able to fend for my family fully out of my farm. I have built an admirable homestead and installed a tank for year round running tap water. I own a herd of 60 plus cattle and own a car, thanks to Seed Co. While discipline is key- in farming, knowledge and great Seed Co seeds have given me high yields. Seed Co has accorded me the opportunity to better my life and my family...Zvinokudzwa...uye tinoti makorokoto nemakore 75! Chishuwo chedu ndechekuti rambai muchitikuridzira, musanete!
True success is measured by how much you give back, this is a philosophy shared across every SBU in Seed Co Limited. In view of this the organization has focused on community sustenance and structured a vibrant and robust CSR programme partnering with various institutions. For years now Seed Co has stood rightfully convicted of our core philosophy to ensure as we Seed Africa, we Feed Africa. The organisation has pledged to help society, striving to do as much as possible to ensure the community is sustainable as their livelihood is depended on the company whilst assistance to the vulnerable members of society is based on merit and need. Our main agenda is to ensure that equal opportunities are awarded to every person, regardless of the present economic crisis across the African continent highly impacting businesses at large. As Seed Co we are ready to split with others the small piece of the pie afforded to us to ensuring that as long as
CSR
we can help it there will be no lack around us. As Paul Walken, one philosopher said, “Everything is connected to everything else” is often called the First Law of Ecology. Helping human society to prosper in the 21st century requires that we recognize the importance of living in balance with our physical environment and treating each other with dignity and equity.’’ Seed Co’s aim is to give to the less privileged, in a bid to merge the gap between the haves and the have nots. Activities across all SBUs resonates the managerial acceptance of this philosophy. To mention a few, Seed Co Zimbabwe has an appreciation of fostership. As St Marnocks children have been relying on Seed Co for more than 7 years now. Tuition is paid for 20 orphans and vulnerable children (10 primary and 10 secondary) who are continuously encouraged to fully utilise and maximise these opportunities.
Some of the children have done well and three students have even proceeded to tertiary institutions. Seed Co Zambia enhanced education and health standards by constructing teachers’ houses at Mukwashi School and donating medical equipment at Chawama clinic in Lusaka. Seed Co Malawi also has a significant CSR policy by donating medical equipment and donating the Chigukire/Sangire Bridge to aid neighbouring communities. Seed Co management are in 100% agreement that education and food are the most basic but important aspects of mankind. In Kenya, Seed Co also supports good causes. We are cognisant of the fact that we need to stand by our principles and drive to Feed Africa.
Zimbabwe
Hand over of mealie meal at Harare Children’s Home
Handover of branded sports kits to Hillcrest college rugby team
Seed Co donates rugby kits to Zim Under 19 rugby team
Zambia
Official hand over of medical equipment to Chawama Clinic - Lusaka
Malawi
Ground breaking ceremony for Chigukire/Sagire bridges
Donation of stationery to a Primary School in Lusaka - Zambia
Kenya
Handover of classroom desks to Umzuzu College by Seed Co Malawi MD Delings Phiri
Wellingtone Wasike (Marketing Manager) handing over Seed Co branded umbrellas to Vicar General Rev Ngoma of Kitale Catholic diocese as the Catholic Bishop (Rt. Reverand Crowly Looks on)
The Kernel Magazine • March 2015
Seed Co employees and staff nurses at Chawama Clinic - Lusaka
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Governments: Zimbabwe
Our Strategic Partners
Left to Right: Denias Zaranyika, Morgan Nzwere, H. E. President Robert G. Mugabe, Dr Charles Utete, Marjorie Mutemererwa, Clive Mugadza, Ivan Craig
Left to Right: Ephraime Havazvidi, Denias Zaranyika and Minister of Agriculture Joseph Made
Left to Right: Marjorie Mutemererwa, H. E. President Robert G. Mugabe, Felistus Ndawi and Ivan Craig
Left to Right: Marjorie Mutemererwa, Dr Charles Utete, H. E. President Robert G. Mugabe, Morgan Nzwere, Edward Mhandu and Clive Mugadza
The Kernel Magazine • March 2015
Zambia
30
Left to Right: Marjorie Mutemererwa, The late President of Zambia Michael Sata and Denias Zaranyika
Left to Right: Grace Bwanali, Former Agriculture Minister of Zambia, Chance Kabaghe, Morgan Nzwere
Malawi
Left to Right: Waddington Lipenga, H. E. President Peter Mutharika and First Lady of Malawi
Tanzania
Left to Right: Malawi Minister of Agriculture Allan Chiyembekeza, Morgan Nzwere Seed Co CEO, John Lungu Quton MD Malawi and Seed Co Representative
Deputy Minister of Agriculture (Tanzania) with Michael Ndoro Seed Co board member, at the official opening of the Seed Co Plant
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