DECEMBER 2 0 1 1
THE KERNEL
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Contents STRATEGIC BUSINESS UNITS 4...QUTON
6...ZAMBIA
9...TANZANIA
10...MALAWI
12...ZIMBABWE
14...KENYA
2
THE CEO’S DESK
18
HIV/ AIDS
20 STAKEHOLDER
TOURS
16
MARKETING
19
AWARDS
21
CORPORATE
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
THE KERNEL
DECEMBER 2011
FROM THE EDITOR We are excited to have a formal communication tool in the form of a magazine.
This way we will get to know and appreciate each other in different markets. This issue is called THE KERNEL. However, for the next issue I call upon all of us to brainstorm in our teams and eventually agree on a name after 3 to 4 issues. Otherwise for now the magazine will come in the form of editions and a name which will change. I urge Team Seed Co members to write articles for future magazines. Lets exercise our creativity and utilise this tool. As Team Seed Co, we need to take care of the little things in our
organization and in our lives. Great organizations are built by great
people and in achieving that, we should know that character is everything.
We all need to point out people's strengths and focus on being impressed rather than being impressive. Let us cultivate great
relationships with each other as each one of us influences someone. We all need each other and make sure you let the people around you know that you need them.
Happy selling season to all of us.
Editorial Staff: Marjorie Mutemererwa GROUP PR AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Asst. Editor: Semukelisiwe Mapetere Reproduction & Printing: Ort Printers Layout & Design: C Media
+ 263 772 414 879
CONTACT:
+ 263 772 240 849
marjoriemu@seedco.co.zw
Page 1
THE KERNEL
DECEMBER 2 0 1 1
Morgan Nzwere GROUP CEO
In an opening interview to mark the
launch of the Seed Co Group's new staff magazine, the Group Chief Executive Mr Morgan Nzwere said he welcomed “The Kernel” as an additional important
communications tool in an organisation that is rapidly acquiring the status of a Pan-African seed company.
This is underlined by the Group describing itself as “The African seed company”
“The Seed Co Group employs 500 permanent members of staff, as well as seasonal employees, and we are very conscious that our people are the key drivers of the business, said Mr Nzwere. “I'd like to reiterate what I said in our recent Annual Report for the period ended March 31, 2011, which was that I am privileged and honoured to be leading teams of men and women across Africa who have a passion to breed, seed, feed and lead in Africa. I thank them all for their dedication, commitment and inspiration to drive growth in our industry”.
OUR SEEDS “The Group has its origins in Zimbabwe where its head office (known as The Hub) is based, as well as longstanding major facilities for Seed Co Zimbabwe. These include two research stations, Rattray Arnold and Kadoma, and a high capacity seed processing factory and warehouse,” said Mr Nzwere. “In Zambia, Seed Co Zambia has two research stations, one in Lusaka and the other at Mpongwe. A new stateof-the-art processing factory is being constructed 21 kms outside Lusaka, involving an investment of $7 million, and which we expect to commission any time soon. “In Malawi we are starting construction of a processing factory, situated in the Seed Co Malawi Business Park in Lilongwe, which will involve an investment of $4 million. “While we have small factories in Kenya and Tanzania we shall soon be improving these with capital expenditure on new equipment and retooling, which we anticipate will be complete in October 2012.
Outlining the main components of the Group, he said Seed Co is now selling seed in 15 countries in Africa. Seed Co and its subsidiary Quton have Strategic Business Units (SBU's) of their own in 6 of these, in most of which it has invested or is in the process of investing in significant new developments.
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THE KERNEL
DECEMBER 2 0 1 1
ARE SPREADING Elaborating on Seed Co's ongoing research work, Mr Nzwere said the company's Research Stations in different regions of Africa were designed to produce seeds that are best suited to different agro-ecological areas. All such seeds are required to pass through the respective Government's testing procedures before they are released to seed. Seed Co Kenya also has a Research Station at Kitale. In Ethiopia we have been carrying out successful pilot production which is almost complete and we expect to be commissioning full scale production at the end of this year. Quton is planning a new acid de-linting plant for Quton Tanzania and a cotton bulking project by Quton Tanzania is progressing well. Commenting on the Group's key competitive characteristics Mr Nzwere said that in addition to its people, these characteristics included leading edge research and technology, wide-ranging marketing and distribution systems, strong financial controls and ongoing efforts to achieve cost efficiencies. Our presence and facilities in so many African countries also helps to reduce transport costs of our seed. He nevertheless stressed that competitive issues of various kinds were a very real factor in African markets. He said that, successful as the Seed Co group is, there was no room for complacency. We must remain customer focused with quality products and service. Customers don't owe us anything, rather it is us who owe them.
He said a number of new varieties were released recently, including SC 727, the highest yielding maize variety for high potential areas in the region. Three early maturing hybrids were in release trials in Zimbabwe, Malawi and Tanzania and five maize hybrids were undergoing Distinctiveness, Uniformity and Stability (DUS) in Kenya before release. Three red leaf blotch and rust tolerant Soya bean varieties had recently been released, with more to come, and one high yielding wheat variety had been released. He paid tribute to Seed Co's seed growers, and said that while some were long-standing others were relatively new, many of whom were now achieving significantly improved yields as they gained experience. With regard to the supply situation of Seed Co's products and to targets for the current financial year, Mr Nzwere said that following the increased production in all SBU's last year, for the first time in five years the Group now had carry over strategic stocks. We are aiming for further growth in production in the current year, along with increased sales targets. The achievement of these would, for the first time, result in the Group's turnover surpassing the $100 million mark.
From the CEO’s Desk
From the CEO’s Desk.
PAGE 4
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THE KERNEL
DECEMBER 2 0 1 1
A subsidiary of Seed Co Limited
Page 4
THE KERNEL
DECEMBER 2 0 1 1
Seed Cotton field
From left: M r Mhandu Q uton MD, M Agriculture r Shereni (M ) & Mr Nzw inistry of ere (Seed C o Group Ch share info i e f Executive rmation on ) cotton seed
Farmer’s field day
Page 5
THE KERNEL
DECEMBER 2011
SEED CO ZAMBIA
Grace Bwanali MANAGING DIRECTOR
Open plan working area
Page 6
Aerial view of building complex
Factory floor
Guests touring the factory
Staff member at work station
First meeting in new boardroom
ZNFU
THE KERNEL
DECEMBER 2011
ZAMBIA NATIONAL FARMERS UNION
106th ANNUAL CONGRESS
Group photo of ‘Team Seed Co’
Team building at the exhibition stand
Delegates at the ZNFU congress
Seed Co board member at ZNFU
Stakeholders attending the congress
Zambia team members at the ZNFU congress Page 7
THE KERNEL
DECEMBER 2011
SEED CO ZAMBIA STAFF
Aggie ISO Manager
Allan
Fecility Accountant
James Export Manager
Kirth Production manager
Lucky RSM Chipata
Stuart Commercial Manager
Jack Warehouse Supervisor Complex
Webster Office assistant
Edward Agronomy
Cephas Controller
Chipata
Sales Officer
Sales Officer
Gabriel Accounts Clerk
Grace Marketing
Happy
Ignatius Exports Coordinator
Officer
Enerst Stores Controller
Namwawa RSM Lusaka
Bridget
Stock Certfication IT Assistant
Elizabeth C Sales Officer
Mwape N Reception Complex
Page 8
Bwalya
Admin Officer
Njavwa Office Assistant
Yande Manager Stocks
Lynne Vegetable Manager
Precious Reception
Yotham Office assistant
Edgar Rupende Technical Director
Farm
Accountant
Adam Office
Assistant
Davis
Micheal Inspector
RSM Kitwe
Robert Stocks Assistant
Stanley Country Sales Manager
Elizabeth Grower Administrator
Sililo Marketing Manager
Sharon
Robby
Sales Officer
SEED CO TANZANIA
THE KERNEL
DECEMBER 2011
Dave Clements MANAGING DIRECTOR
Seed Co Tanzania has offices in Arusha and it’s seed maize varieties are very popular in the Northern parts in Arusha, Manyara.
Farmers there are exposed to the hybrid seeds of maize. A lot of vigorous marketing and promotion will be taking place to cover the whole of Tanzania.
Dave Clements is in charge of Seed Co Tanzania. Seed Co
Ltd. has also an SBU which researches and produces cotton seed, Quton.
Seed Co Tanzania is here to stay as a major investor to enhance food security, create employment and be a Tanzanian fast growing seed company.
Seed Co Tanzania has become a fully fledged SBU.
Seed Co is truly an African Seed Company
Page 9
SEED CO MALAWI
DECEMBER 2011
THE KERNEL
Dellings Phiri MANAGING DIRECTOR
M
r
dd iri a Ph . D
g Agro-dealers during th
eC onf ere nc e
Phiri a
their certificat es
Mr D
e
lay
nd o
th
the Agro-de attended aler who Con s fer at e g en ele c
The Permanent Secretary addressing delegates at the Conference
sp di
d er
n ressi
AGRO DEALERS CONFERENCE
Fr o m the KERNE L ... ...to the COB...
Page 10
...to t he NA TION!! !
d Co See
Malawi Tea
m
THE KERNEL
SEED CO MALAWI STAFF
Gregory Madeya
Naomi Chikotoma
Ralph Chirwa
DECEMBER 2011
Waddington Lipinga
Zondi Kawamba
Mc Connel Zomba
John Lungu
Kizito Nyirenda
Helen Ngwira
Maureen Sentala
Page 11
Page 11
SEED CO ZIMBABWE
THE KERNEL D E C E M B E R 2011
Dennis Zaranyika MANAGING DIRECTOR
1
Bumper rvest Ha Promotion 2
3
1. Jubilant winners celebrate at the Murigadzose Promotion in Rusape.
2. Rusape farmer rejoices
over a tractor which he won in
the Bumper Harvest Promotion. 3. Cover Picture: Just purchased the right seed for great yields.
44
5
4. Mr Dennis Zaranyika
hands over Seed Co maize seed 5. A proud lady farmer on the tractor she won at
the National Crop farming
competition in Chiweshe. Page 12
SEED CO ZIMBABWE STAFF
Daniel Kwaramba Marketing Manager
Melody Chigerwe ICT Manager
Nick Trafford Processing & Technology Manager
Robson Madondo Financial Accountant
Locadia Marongwe Client Relations Manager
Davison Ncube Regional Internal Audit Manager
Victor Mabika Product Area Manager
Kwirirai Rukowo Management Accountant
Ivan Craig Extension Services Manager
Oripa Ameer HR & Admin Manager
Munyaradzi Jonga Operations Manager
THE KERNEL D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 1
Tirivacho Vuchemasimba ISO Management Representative
Musa Wanjowa Finance Director
Catherine Maendzanise Purchasing & Exports Manager
Maxwel Mataka Plant Manager
Page 13
THE KERNEL DECEMBER 2011
SEED CO KENYA
Kassim Owino MANAGING DIRECTOR
THE EAST AFRICAN SPEAR Agri Seed Co Limited, Kenya’s Seed Co Business Unit, is presenting a whole lot of experience backed by many years of research, technology, seed production and marketing within the Seed Co group.
Seed Co Kenya factory
Our involvement in Kenya’s hybrid seed maize distribution has been very successful and widely accepted by the Kenyan farmers. Our drought & heat tolerant varieties SC Duma 403 and SC Punda Milia 513 have given excellent results to farmers. Further, SC Simba 627 and SC Tembo 719 have proved very reliable in medium to high altitude areas. In October 2011, Agri Seed Co was included in the Government’s relief seed programme also funded by the German International Cooperation. This was one of the many initiatives the Government of Kenya has been undertaking towards ensuring food security in the country. Our efforts towards ensuring farmers get the best products suitable to their various agro ecological zones will continuously be carried on. Our investments towards SEED CO’s mission “to breed, seed, feed and lead” in Africa will be continued in Kenya while ensuring that the needs of farmers are adequately addressed.
Page 14
Kenya Team
Seed Co employee coding seed
SEED CO KENYA STAFF
THE KERNEL DECEMBER 2011
Rogers Mugambi
Sam Githendu
SALES AND MARKETING
SALES
Tom Agot
Isaac Madara
WAREHOUSE OFFICER
DISPATCH STORES
Deborah Narotso ACCOUNTANT
Peter Amakobe WAREHOUSE
MEET THE BRAINS BEHIND SEED CO RESEARCH TEAM
Dr E Havazvidi Group Reseach Manager
Joseph Mito Head Research
Mike Caufield Group Reseach Manager
Jacob Chichangwa Leading Soya Bean Maker
Robin Jarvis Group Technical Services Executive
Paul Rupende Programme Manager Maize Breeder
Herbert Masole Plant Breeder Zambia
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MARKETING
THE KERNEL DECEMBER 2011
Sililo
Ralph
Rogers
Daniel
Marketing
Marketing
Marketing
Marketing
Zambia
SEED CO ZAMBIA
Manager
Malawi
Manager
Kenya
Manager
Zimbabwe Manager
POWER HARVEST LAUNCH
Chance Kabhage Chairman of Seed Co Zambia hands over a Power Harvest hamper to a board member at the launch in Lusaka.
Delegates pay attention as Seed Co team-member explains more about the product.
Seed Co team-member passes on free samples of the product
SEED CO MALAWI
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MARKETING
THE KERNEL DECEMBER 2011
SEED CO ZIMBABWE
BUMPER HARVEST PROMOTION LAUNCH
ct.
A happy farmer is a good farmer!
Official launch of the bumper harvest promotion Minister of Agriculture Joseph Made, at the launch
Bumper harvest promotion (Chiweshe)
Page 17
Living Positively How to Stay Healthy and Live Longer with HIV
The will to live is one of the strongest medicines for people living with HIV and AIDS. If you have the will
to live, then your body will respond in very good ways - your quality of life will improve and you will live a longer, healthier and more productive life.
There are many ways by which you can keep your body, mind and emotions strong and healthy - for many years.
Having A Positive Mind!
If you think you will deal with your HIV
infection and will live a long and healthy life with it - then you are already
HALFWAY there. When you believe
that you can do this, then you will also
be willing to do things that will help you
Believing in yourself
“Love yourself. Remember that you are valuable”
Love yourself. Remember that you are valuable (important and useful) and worthy. Think about the many ways in which you are important to your
family, friends, work and your community. Think about how important you are to other people also living with HIV and AIDS. Setting Goals For Living
Why must you go on living?
Write down all the reasons why you need to go on living, and why you should stay
Then begin to set your goals (things you must get done), such as: O
I will live longer so that I can see my
children grow and protect them from the dangers
healthy and strong.
of life.
o
I have children to protect, nurture
wanted.
o
I want to complete my education and
o
I am very good at the work that I do
These could be: and care for.
get further education.
and my employer needs me.
o
I will get the education that I have always
o
I will get the promotions which I have
o
I will eat healthy food and exercise
o
I will continue with doing things which I
always wanted at work.
regularly to stay physically strong. enjoy.
…there are so many other goals you can set,
which will be different for each person and will
Welcoming Good - Kicking Out Bad
Think positive (good) thoughts only. Avoid negative (bad) thoughts because they will reduce your mental powers and weaken your immune system - making you sick.
To help you live positively you also need some support and encouragement from people who truly love and care for you.
www.safaids.org.zw
THE KERNEL D E C E M B E R 2011
AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Infrastructural Development Seed Co Best ID in the
Agro Processing Sector
Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries Award
Runner Up
Exporter of The Year
Confederation
of Zimbabwe
IndustriesI Award Runner Up
r Exporter of The Yea Page 19
THE THE KERNEL KERNELD E C E M B E R 2 0 1 1
STAPLEFORD
STAKEHOLDER TOURS se
Media cap tur es
cess at th pro e
ctory e fa bw ba m Zi
ed
nal Security Zimbabwe Hon. Minister S. Sekeramai, Min. of State & Natio
NGO guests visit Seed Co factory in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwean Pastor T. Deuschle visits Seed Co
St Johns College tour Seed Co factory in Zimbabwe
Murehwa Primary School tour Seed Co factory in Zimbabwe
SHAPING THE FUTURE Page 20
Farm & City visit the
Seed Co Zimbabwe grounds
OF OUR COMMUNITIES
THE KERNEL
DECEMBER 2 0 1 1
Seed Co CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Seed Co Zambia MD: Grace Bwanali
Maize seed donation to Kasisi Mission in Zambia Maize seed donation to Kasisi Mission
Seed Co Zimbabwe MD: Dennis Zaranyika
Seed Co donation to the orphans at Harare Children’s Home
Page 21
MALAWI DESK DONATION MZUZU UNIVERSITY
Mala wi w
ith st
C
ha
ep tr
nc
en
el
lo
ivers zu U n
Phiri MD for S eed C o
ud
zu r of M
ellings ity & D
THE KERNEL DECEMBER 2011
Pr
of
.M
si s
ka
Vi ce
.
Mr Dellings Phiri Seed Co Malawi MD
Staf f&s tudent
ity. ivers n u e s enjoying the new desks at th
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THE KERNEL
DECEMBER
2011
Reaching out to the community...
1st Team Zim rugby with Marjorie from Seed Co
Seed Co proud supporters of Zimbabwe Republic Police atheletics
Jubilant Chisipite Girls School receives a donation from Seed Co
St Johns Prep school poses for a photo in their new kit
Zimbabwe Republic Police Commissioner General receives seed maize from Seed Co MD Dennis Zaranyika
Seed Co, Zimbabwe Republic Police donation
Ecstatic Zimbabwe Republic Police athlete gets a bag of seed
Signing Ceremony with the Zimbabwe National Army for input credit scheme
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