When you grow, we grow too. 1940
1975
2015
Shamwari Road, Stapleford P.O. Box WGT 64, Westgate, Harare, Zimbabwe Tel: +263 4 2915 408-14, Fax: +263 4 304 841, Cell: +263 772 231 841-6, +263 772 236 251-4, Email: seedco@seedco.co.zw
Celebrating 75 Years of Seeding Africa
Mr Morgan Nzwere | Group Chief Executive Officer
“A diamond is born only after the Coal withstanding and enduring tremendous pressure and enormous heat for thousands of years. Strive to be a diamond, and never settle for anything less in life!” Deodatta Diamond Jubilee 2015 is a special year for the Seed Co family, as we mark an amazing 75 year journey which has seen us grow from humble beginnings to Africa’s largest seed company. We look back from 1940 when the Rhodesia Seed Maize Co-operative Company was formed and trace our life to date, where Zimbabwe Seed Maize Co-op Company Limited has stood the test of time, through various challenges and stand proud of our evolution. Just like our predecessors, today we continue to ask ourselves the question…Why do we exist as a company? We exist so that we come up with new varieties that farmers can benefit from. These may be varieties inclined towards disease resistance, varieties adaptive to the changing weather patterns and ultimately increased yields. That’s always our number one aim, to continually better our seed and make a difference! Over the years, we have maintained a customer oriented focus which has seen us develop seed that is responsive to our farmer needs across all our regional operations. We are also a proud quoted company, listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange and in line with our growth policy, Seed Co has expanded into 15 different African countries expanding our footprint as the leading producer and marketer of certified crop seeds in Southern Africa. 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 marketoriented research and breeding programmes. The seed is produced from Seed Co’s own parent seed under contract by an established producer network. Over the years, we have nurtured a strong producer family. Developing this network has come with its challenges since producing seed is a highly technical process. In Zimbabwe, the land reform accorded the indigenous people who had various experiences outside farming, an opportunity to farm. Like in all things, when people are learning a new activity, there are always adaption pains. As a resolute company, our response was to intensify training programmes and deploying agronomists to work closely with them. We are pleased to record steady growth through the intense training programmes that we aggressively pursued in Zimbabwe. Seed Co continues to build on the experience and believe that we are going from strength to strength. In our quest to grow, we have significantly invested in research and development to enhance agricultural seed productivity over the years. Seed Co has seven
research stations mandated to develop seed products in ecological conditions similar to the end-users’ environment. These stations are located in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya and Nigeria and are complimented by thousands of off station trial sites. Innovation and novel breeding methods are responsible for the success in developing thriving hybrid varieties such as SC727 recorded by the art farm as the highest yielding variety across all national varieties in Zimbabwe. Yield records of 18 metric tonnes 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. Our 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. We have a strong skills base characterised by years of experience with the longest serving breeder having been with the group for 52 years. The group has a wide portfolio of seed products, and other small grain crops and are forerunners in the release of disease tolerant hybrids with durable resistance to devastating streak and mottle viruses. As a company, we are dedicated to better our capacity. Partnering Limagrain, in 2013 has enabled us to improve our research and ultimately increase Seed Co’s output. Limagrain is the largest seed manufacturer
Seed Co - Limagrain Partnership
Jean-Christophe Juilliard
Bruno Carette
Michel Debrand
Pat Rooney | Group Chairman
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.
in Europe and the 4th largest in the world. This partnership has brought us valuable experience and continues to facilitate our growth. In conclusion, let me say it is with great pride that 75 years later, we continue to harvest from the dedicated Seed Co staff that has continued to unselfishly serve the company offering a high level of professionalism and dedication. We are certainly looking forward to multiple yields in the next 75 years. We hold tight to the vision of becoming a global giant. To all our customers, who have remained loyal to brand Seed Co over the past 75 years, we value your support, and continue to strive to meet all your agricultural intimate needs. Thank you for the decades of yesterday and tomorrow, our promise to lead, seed and feed remains. Thank you.
John Matorofa | Group Finance Director
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.
Board of Directors
Chance Kabaghe Non-Executive Director, John Matorofa Group Finance Director, P. Gorewa 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
Zimbabwe It has been a stimulating and fruitful challenge to lead a team of passionate and dedicated professionals over a decade. As the new Seed Co MD, my mandate was not an easy one, as the country moved into a new era of Agriculture in line with the land reform. The economic downturn did not spare us, as agriculture funding dwindled and inflation affected everyone. We soldiered on and formulated survival strategies. With a diminishing grower base, the first challenge was to identify potential seed growers, because without seed, Seed Co dissolves out of existence, therefore, a solid grower base became my ultimate obsession!
Mr Denias Zaranyika | Managing Director
Quality seed at the right volumes, became Seed Co’s immediate focus. This drive led to intense training programmes across the country and the current crop of growers that we have today, developed from that period. One of the things that drive the Seed Co team is that, we appreciate that feeding people is a God given mandate. For me personally, I remember one of the strategy workshops, where we happened to invite Pastor Tom Duschle to share a word. He said something that has been engraved in my heart to this day....seed security for food security! As Seed Co, our mandate is to make sure that we develop and produce seed so that there is seed security and once there is seed security, then you can work towards food security, but it all starts with seed! Even in terms of human resources management, I have nurtured and steered the Seed Co Zimbabwe ship from the perspective that it all begins with a seed, and if you are attentive to the seed, the harvests are guaranteed. The drive and knowledge that people have got to feed is what drives us! Another driver has been the loyalty that our customers have shown towards us. In our business, performance of a product is most critical. Farmers need to grow product for maximum yield, otherwise the competitive edge is blotted. We have learnt that the best way to do this is to grow and demonstrate performance of the seed in the farmer’s environment, not at our research stations. There must be very strong agronomy
and product support. This concentrated execution is what has made Seed Co a household name and I am also proud to note that, we have a history of sustaining families. Many lawyers, doctors and professionals where schooled by Seed Co products harvested and sold to the Grain Marketing Board. Most middle aged professionals’ parents were subsistence farmers who to this day still believe in our brands. We believe Seed Co is part of families. We continuously strive to improve people’s livelihoods. In our bid to embed our brands to the market and get closer to the farmer, our marketing team introduced the animal concept of naming seed in line with wild animal characteristics. We had 25 to 30 hybrids with variety codes and this had a potential of creating confusion to the farmer. To make it easier for the farmer we gave names that characterised the hybrid thereby demystifying the codes. Animal Classification
Characteristics
Maturity Days
Tsuro
Ultra maturity group, White maize variety, Unique elasticity characteristic with the ability to adjust its performance basing on the rainfall pattern of that particular season, Good disease tolerance
110-120 days
Tsoko
Very early maturity group, White maize variety, Adaptable to marginal conditions
120-130 days
Mbizi
Early maturity, White/Yellow maize variety, Performs well across all ecological regions Good tolerance to diseases
130-140 days
Shumba
Medium maturity White/Yellow maize variety Average 12t/ha in medium, high potential and under irrigation Good tolerance to diseases
140-150 days
Nzou
Long maturity group White maize variety Above 16t/ha in medium, high potential and under irrigation Highly recommended for silage making Excellent disease tolerance
Over 150 days
As we move into the future towards our next 75 years, we are mindfully conscious of the need for greater co-operation with all key stakeholders
including central government and relevant government arms such as AREX. We have worked well over the years and continuously look at ways and means to enhance these relationships as they are important in our farm outreach programmes as well as encouraging the complementary role that they play in our sector. Going forward, we are also looking at diversifying and we are gravitating towards vegetable seed, because we have the capacity and expertise in related varieties. We believe that vegetable seed will give us annual continuity. Currently we have maize seed dominating our cycle as a seasonal plant. Vegetables will bridge that gap and offer us all round income streams. We have also observed the changing eating habits, with consumer behaviour tilting strongly towards increased vegetable consumption. Once again, let me take this opportunity to thank Zimbabwe for its loyalty, you have given us a good foundation to expand to new terrains. Anything is only as strong as its foundation. In celebrating our 75th anniversary, we again thank our staff, the people that made it necessary for us to achieve this milestone – those that have worked for this company before us for whom we must express our love, respect and appreciation for what they did in laying a strong foundation for which we continue to build this company. 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 We are also proud to say, since our listing, Seed Co has never made a loss!
Quton Zimbabwe
Edward Mhandu | Managing Director
Pritiranjan Rath | Deputy Managing Director
Tichaona Ravasingadi | Finance 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 SBUs in Tanzania and Malawi. An ISO 9001:2008 and 14001:2004 certified company, Quton distributes its products in Mozambique, Swaziland, Uganda and Zambia.
Robson Dzviti | Production Manager
Petronella Gwasira | Marketing Manager
In November 2014 Mahyco of India acquired 60% equity in Quton and Seed Co retained 40%. Mahyco brings new technology that includes hybrid seeds. Quton Seed Company celebrates with Seed Co LTD on its 75th anniversary. We are proud to be part of the family.
Zimbabwe
Mr Morgan Nzwere | Group Chief Executive Officer
John Matorofa | Group Finance Director
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
Research and Development...
Gordon Mabuya | 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
Jacob Tichagwa| Senior Soyabean Breeder
Walter Chivasa | Group Product Evaluation & Advancement Manager
Dr. Lennin Musundire | Senior Maize Breeder
Dean Muungani | Senior Maize Breeder
Dr. Amritendu Msira | Senior Maize Breeder
Rodreck Gunundu | Maize Breeder
Caleb Souta | Complimentary Crops Breeder
Themba Mutuvira | Maize Breeder
Farai Ziweya | Seed Production Research Officer
Paul Rupende | Senior Maize Breeder
Dr. Ephraim Havazvidi | Head of Research
Certified Through Decades of Research 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 small holder agricultural sector. SEED CO R & D BOOST AND REGIONALISATION: 1996 TO PRESENT DAY • Floatation 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
Biotic & Abiotic stresses encountered
RARS Goromonzi
1972, Zimbabwe
17O 16’ S 31O 03’ E Alt: 1341m R/fall: 865mm
GLS, MSV, Ht
KRC Kadoma
1996, Zimbabwe
18O 21' S 29O 50' E Alt: 1149m R/fall: 777mm (erratic)
Heat & drought
SRS Stapleford
2001, Zimbabwe
17O 21' S 30O 54' E Alt: 1500m R/fall: 1000mm
GLS, MSV, Ht, PLS
MSRS in Copperbelt
2003, Zambia
13O 32’ S 28O 03’ E Alt: 1300m R/fall: 1500mm(Wet, humid)
Diplodia ear rots, NCLS, Ht, GLS,Rust, Septoria, Soyabean rust
LWSRC in Lusaka
2009, Zambia
13 O 27’ S 25 O 50’ E
GLS, MSV, Soyabean RLB, Low pH, Ht,Wheat leaf rust, Septoria
EARC in Kitale
2004, Kenya Highlands
01O 07' N 34O 53' E Alt: 1830m R/fall: 1500mm (cold)
Highland rust, GLS, Ht, Ear rots, Cold tolerance
West Africa
2014, Nigeria
Gwagwalada/ Kaduna
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, Wheat Breeding Programme is manned by two breeders and 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 EFFORT 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 (Twiga or Giraffe in East Africa - Prodigious effort 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), SC Sequel. WHEAT & SMALL GRAINS • Seed Co Wheat breeding program has been the first to putput ten tonne spring wheat varieties under irrigation in Africa, raising the Zimbabwe and Zambia wheat national yield levels to 6.5 t/ha to come second after Argentina. The programme release 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 release 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).
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 wellbred 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.
Seed Co Zambia Quality Control Team
Malawi 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. 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.
Dellings Phiri | Managing Director
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. 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.
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. 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. 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).
Quton Malawi Quton Malawi would like to congratulate Seedco 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 Seedco will remain relevant for the next 75years. Keep it up Seedco!!!! HISTORY QUTON MALAWI: Quton Malawi was formed as a 100% subsidiary of SeedCo 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.
John Lungu | Managing Director
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 $1.0Million. With time the plant has been improved to almost double the initial investment.
Minister Allan Chiyembekeza (Minister of Agriculture in Malawi) and David Long (Seed Co Non-executive Director)
Tanzania 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 size has given the business a unique ability to be more efficient. The business unit has successfully
David Clemence| Managing Director
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 womenconstituting 80 percent of our processing staff”. This noble empowerment initiative is characteristic and unique to our set up group-wide. 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 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”
Ethiopia
Discussion after the field visit at Adami Tulu ,2013
Part of the women staff compliment in the processing department
Kenya
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 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. 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. 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.
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 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 SCI-Ethiopia and the land owner to establish a PLC together in year 1 and agree with the land
owner to completely exit thereafter. 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 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. SCI-Ethiopia is positioned to release more products and increase volumes once a business license is secured.
CCI
West Africa 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. 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.
James Glenn | Managing Director
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 year’s, 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
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.
Rwanda
Kasaija Banage | Country Manager
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. The country has a young population with 43 per cent below the age of 15, and at 408 inhabitants per square kilometre is among Africa’s most densely populated. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
Calvin Fambisai
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. The following achievements have been registered to date: - 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 and mid-altitude agroecological 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 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 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 midaltitude agro-ecological 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 Nigeria’s vision is to be “The dominant and distinct hybrid maize producer and pace-setter 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: - capture 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) - Dominant Hybrid Market Share ≥ 60%, and - Grow Revenue & deliver PAT: $4M, Volume: 15,000MT
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
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.
Governments:
Our Strategic Partners
Left to Right: Denias Zaranyika, Morgan Nzwere, H. E. President Robert G. Mugabe, Dr Charlse Utete, Marjorie Mutemererwa, Clive Mugadza, Ivan Craig
Left to Right: Ephraim 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 Charlse Utete, H. E. President Robert G. Mugabe, Morgan Nzwere, Edward Mhandu and Clive Mugadza
Zambia
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
Looking back...
...75 years of excellence
CSR Zambia
Donation of medical equipment to Chawama Clinic - Lusaka
Official hand over of medical equipment to Chawama Clinic - Lusaka
Donation of stationery to a Primary School in Lusaka - Zambia
Handover of branded sports kit to Hillcrest college rugby team
Seed Co donates rugby kits to Zim under 20 rugby team
Zimbabwe
Hand over of mealie meal at Harare Children’s Home
Kenya
Malawi
Ground breaking ceremony for Chigukire/Sagire bridges
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 human society, striving to do as much as possible to ensure the community around 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, us as Seed Co are ready to split with others the small piece of the pie afforded to us to ensuring that as long as 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.’’
Handover of classroom desks to Umzuzu College by Seed Co Malawi MD Delings Phiri
Seed Co’s aim is to give to the less privileged, in a bid to merge the gap between the have’s and the have not’s. She strongly advocates of the concept of giving. 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) whom are continuously encourage 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. Charity work is one area where all Seed Co management are in 100% agreement with the understanding that education and food are the most basic but important aspect of anyone. In Kenya, Seed Co also supports good causes. We are cognisant of the fact that we need to stand by our principle and feed Africa.
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)