By Wallace Mawire
Seed Co Ltd on 11 March,2026 showcased latest varieties to farmers from all provinces of Zimbabwe in its bid contribute to national food security.
Seed Co Limited welcomed Government Officials and Stakeholders and farmers from across Zimbabwe to the field day. Farmers from other African countries also graced the occassion reaffirming the company”s unwavering commitment to National Food Security, a core pillar of our the country’s National Development Strategy (NDS2).
Seed Co Ltd Managing Director, Mrs Felistas Gurajena said at the day that their efforts past, present and future have always been driven by the singular goal of empowering the African farmer. She said in the past, their journey began here in Zimbabwe, where their 85-year heritage was solidified with the globally pioneering development of SR52, the first single-cross hybrid maize, a breakthrough that continues to underpin maize breeding across the region.
She said the foundational work allowed them to grow from a single market into a pan-African giant, operating in over 15 countries and releasing 226 varieties across multiple crops, continually moving beyond the borders to share Zimbabwean innovation.
Gurajena said currently their focus is a direct response to the urgent challenge of climate change.
‘We are leading the drive for Climate-Smart Farming Technologies and Crop Diversification. You have seen this in the newly launched SC449 a very early maturity, high yielding variety with a very good disease package that joins a generation of ultra early, very early and early maturity maize hybrids such as the drought insurance cover SC301, SC303, Mukadzi usaende SC419, SC547 and SC555 designed for resilience and early harvests,” she said.
She added that their maize product basket also extends to medium maturity such as SC657, SC665, SC659, SC608 and late maturity varieties, Murigadzose SC 719 and SC 727 for high rainfall agro- ecological regions and production under irrigation. Gurajena said the company is diversifying into new crops that include soya beans, the new red hybrid sorghum blockbuster SC XH102 for drier regions, the white wheat variety SC W9104 in response to the market’s call for varieties that not only provide the high yields that farmers have become used to getting from Seed Co’s varieties, but also the white flour colour that they have learnt local millers now prefer.
Seed Co is reported to have an imminent release of new hybrid sunflower varieties with head dropping characteristics and high yields for the oil seed industry as well as bio-foretified sugarbean variety NUA674. In addition, Gurajena said that their product basket also includes a wide range of horticulture crops which always have a whole separate field day dedicated to showcasing blockbuster and newly launched hybrid vegetable seed varieties. She said the innovations are their direct contribution to NDS2’s goal of achieving a prosperous, food-secure nation.
According to her, looking to the future, Seed Co is committed to not slowing down. She said they believe in the benefit of locally bred varieties that are adapted to local ecology and will continue to invest in cutting-edge research to develop even smarter, next-generation seeds, embrace Digital Solutions to put data-driven farm management in farrmers hands to and ensure their work supports the long-term national vision for perennial food security.
The initiatives will be coundcuted at Seed Co”s Rattray Arnold Research in Shamva in Zimbabwe where the field day was held and where the is being put strategy into action, empowering farmers with the world-class seeds and technology needed for a prosperous and resilient future. Gurajena said the Rattray Arnold Field Day is more than just a showcase but a platform for knowledge exchange, a space for dialogue and a celebration of agricultural innovation.
Farmers managed to engage with Seed Co r scientists, agronomists, partner exhibiting companies across the agriculture value chain and other farmers at the field day.
Guest of Honour, Professor Dr. Obert Jiri, the Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development said the field day is not just a seasonal event but a vital cornerstone of the country”s national agricultural calendar.
‘It is a celebration of the science of agriculture, a testament to the power of Public-Private Partnership and a living demonstration of the innovative capacity that has defined Seed Co for over 85 years in this region,” he said.
Professor Dr Jiri said by developing high-yielding, locally adapted and climate-smart varieties, Seed Co provides the engine for the national drive towards perennial food security, ensuring that the country never again faces episodic, weather-dependent outcomes.
He said the diversification in the company’s product pipeline enables the country to move beyond reliance on one staple, significantly contributing to nutrition security and safeguarding the health of communities and promoting agriculture as a viable business enterprise.