Enough maize seed available: Government
Monday, 15 October 2012 00:00
Evelene Taadira Herald Reporter
Government has assured farmers that enough maize seed is available for this year’s agricultural season. In an interview on the sidelines of the Seed Co National Crop Farming Competition last week, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development secretary Mr Ngoni Masoka said Zimbabwe has 64 000 tonnes of maize seed.
“We need only 45 000 tonnes and this means the rest is to be exported,” he said. Mr Masoka said seed had already been distributed to agro-dealers and was ready for delivery to the farmers.
“The seed is already in agro-dealers who have assured us that this year’s summer programme is well co-ordinated, the seed is ready for collection,” he said.
He said Government is holding weekly meetings with stakeholders to maximise preparations for the season.
Mr Masoka said the meetings, which included representatives from the Ministry of Finance, suppliers, agro-dealers and farmer representatives, were meant to ensure a level playing field and enhance production.
“We are making it clear to the stakeholders that as far as seed is concerned it should be delivered to the farmer’s doorstep and they have agreed,” he said.
He said Government had already met with those offering contract farming to ensure that farmers have adequate financial muscle for the season
In Zimbabwe, a 50kg bag of seed is selling for between US$30 and US$40 while in the region, prices are as low as US$15 per bag.
“As Zimbabwe we know that we have the potential of being the breadbasket of Comesa and Africa, as a whole, hence our commitment to those in communal farming,” he said.
Mr Masoka said Government had made it clear that farmers needed profits.
“We have told those offering financial facilities that farmers need to be capacitated, and warned them against leaving farmers to confront Government over funding We are also discussing issues of pricing and have made it clear that farmers have to be left with something after removing costs and that they should be no side marketing,” he said.
Labels: NGONI MASOKA, SEED, SEEDCO
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Zim-Malawi seek to forge agricultural partnership
Wednesday, 01 August 2012 00:00
Agriculture Reporter
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Joseph Made met his Malawian counterpart, Professor Peter Mwanza who is in the country to discuss ways of boosting productivity among smallholder farmers.
The two ministers visited the Exhibition Park where they had a meeting with heads of agricultural departments and parastatals. After touring the Exhibition Park, the team left for the Agriculture Demonstration Centre at Gwebi College to have a deeper understanding of mechanisation and equipment being used at the institution.
The team then went to SeedCo plant at Stapleford in Mt Hampden.
Minister Made said Zimbabwe and Malawi enjoyed bilateral and multilateral relations.
“Malawi is interested in the development of mechanisation, irrigation and wants to master knowledge on agricultural shows. Malawi wants to develop various agricultural shows and we are grateful to the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society for hosting us,” he said.
Prof Mwanza said he came to share information with his counterpart.
“It is very crucial that we share notes as we have common challenges in the agriculture industry. The region has been experiencing drought due to climate change and wants to look at ways of tacking the challenge.
“We have common problems with issues of tobacco and cotton marketing and food security in the region,” he said.
Cabinet last week ordered cotton ginners to pay a price based on the cost of production of the crop and declared that no farmers should sell at a price below the cost of production; US 77cents per kilogramme.
Prof Mwanza said he wanted to learn more on how agricultural shows were organised. He recognised the high standard of Zimbabwe’s agricultural show, which he said were advanced and organised.
“Zimbabwe has got vast experience in holding agricultural shoes and has even gone further to have independent structures such as ZAS running the shows,” he said.
Zimbabwe and Malawi share excellent relations, which were further strengthened in 2007 when the two governments signed a revised bilateral trade agreement, which is aimed at promoting two way trade.
Labels: JOSEPH MADE, MALAWI, SEEDCO
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Seed Co profit soars to US$19m
Wednesday, 30 May 2012 00:00
Bright Madera Senior Business Reporter
SEED CO profit for the 12 months to March 31 climbed 10 percent to US$19 million on the back of growth in volumes. The leading breeder and distributor of hybrid seed turned over US$118 million, a 20 percent positive variance compared to the US$97 million generated last year.
Group finance director Mr John Matorofa said sales volumes for the group also went up 22 percent to 67 240 metric tonnes during the period under review with Zimbabwe sales volumes increasing 74 percent.
Malawi was the only market that registered minimal growth compared to all other countries in which Seed Co operates.
A robust production base and balanced seed stocks following two seasons of successful production helped the group to meet demand.
In total the group’s maize seed sales went up 25 percent as the group pursued to increase market coverage on the back of abundant stocks.
“With a very strong stockholding position, the group will take advantage of the increased demand in some markets, and improved production efficiencies. The production capacity in the new markets of Tanzania, Kenya and Ethiopia continues to grow,” said Mr Matorofa.
Total assets for the group grew 28 percent from US$123 million to US$157,4 million driven by a 39 percent growth in current assets as well as the group’s continued investment in property, plant and equipment.
Mr Matorofa said inventories for the group were up due to a 68 percent increase in maize production and the expected maize production for this coming season was reduced 64 percent in a bid to wind down the carry-over stock.
“Trade receivables increased 36 percent and allowances for credit losses amounting to US$2,3 million have been made on some doubtful and slow paying customers,” he said.
During the period under review, West African collaborative efforts with other organisations were initiated and the group is expected to benefit from these synergies.
In East Africa better performing varieties are at an advanced stage and this is expected to contribute significantly to group profitability.
Seed Co released an additional eight products on to the market, five of which were maize and two soyabean varieties and a wheat variety.
Going forward, Mr Matorofa said the group foresees growth driven by positive developments in the region.
“In Malawi the economy is expected to improve and we anticipate improvement in margins in 2013.
“With the new developments in West Africa, we expect to sell the first bag of certified seed in 2013. We also anticipate further growth in East Africa,” said Mr Matorofa.
Labels: SEEDCO
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COMMENT - Other than the very uncool accompanying photograph,
SC637 is one of Seed Co's high yield varieties:
"In the 600 series, the new SC637 is a high yielder and can be grown in natural region II B, with a potential output of 12t/ha plus good tip cover producing a very white meal and good disease resistance. "
I am not in favour of these potentially genetically modified super yielding seeds. The best way to increase productivity, is to increase the land that is under permanent irrigation. Which doesn't only allow for only bigger yields, but multiple harvests from the same land, and secures a yield in times of drought. Drought is the biggest obstacle to food security in Zimbabwe, whether it was the 2000s or the 1990s.
Work on increasing yields, farmers told
Friday, 23 March 2012 00:00
Agriculture Reporter
Farmers should concentrate on increasing yields per unit area if Zimbabwe is to attain food security and retain its breadbasket status, Masho-naland West Governor and Resident Minister Faber Chidarikire said yesterday.
Officiating at a Seed Co field day at Kadoma Research Station, Governor Chidarikire said he was concerned that productivity on farms was dwindling. He said local seed houses were coming up with high yield varieties but productivity continued on a downward trend.
“For instance we have heard that the SC637, which is grown in some parts of this province and elsewhere has yielded 17,5 tonnes per hectare at ART Farm.
However, despite the potential yield inherent in these varieties, the majority of our farmers continue to produce less than a tonne per hectare.
“It is mandatory that we push our average yields to over two tonnes per hectare so that we deliver 3,4 million tonnes of maize into our granaries,” he said.
Governor Chidarikire urged farmers to continue learning new skills and boost productivity.
“I challenge farmers to put the seed technology being produced here to good use by ensuring that we produce to the maximum potential to make farming much more exciting and ensure food security, sustainability and improved cash income.”
Seed Co managing director, Mr Denias Zaranyika, said field days were important to both Seed Co and farmers because they offered a platform to share experiences.
He said this kind of interaction improved farming operations as well as giving pointers to Seed Co researchers and breeders.
Mr Zaranyika said Seed Co’s team of researchers was in the process of breeding an ultra-early maize hybrid than the currently available early maturing hybrids.
The field day was attended by farmers from Masvingo, Mashonaland West, students from agricultural colleges and Agritex officers.
Labels: AGRICULTURE, GMOS, SEEDCO
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Chiefs urged to help ensure food security
Thursday, 20 October 2011 00:00
Agriculture Reporter
CHIEFS and traditional leadership should play a leading role in ensuring household food security in their communities, a Cabinet Minister has said. Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Joseph Made made the call at the Seed Co launch of Zunde RaMambo programme in Stapleford yesterday.
He said it was the duty of chiefs to ensure members in their communities were fed and that the community always had a reserve to help the less privileged. "Chiefs always remember that it is incumbent upon you to ensure that all residents within your areas of jurisdiction are well provided for in terms of food security," he said.
He applauded Seed Co for the initiative given the multiple challenges faced by rural communities. Minister Made said the situation has been made worse by the HIV and Aids pandemic, which has had a toll on the productive generations, and has left a trail of child-headed households, which cannot fend for themselves.
"Thus our traditional leaders are inundated by the unprecedented demand for food within the communities they preside over and this initiative proffers capacity to the traditional leadership institutions to salvage the situation."
President of the Chiefs' Council, Chief Fortune Charumbira, said it was important that chiefs encouraged seed houses to give farmers seed on credit and ensure national food security. He said it was disheartening to note that seed houses were stocked with seed yet farmers did not have cash to buy.
"The situation could improve if farmers are given seed on credit and pay later. This can be done through chiefs who will distribute to their farmers and chances of absconding will be limited," he said.
Chief Charumbira attacked some corrupt Agritex officers who divert inputs intended for vulnerable members of the communities for their own use.
"Agritex officers should not screen the beneficiaries alone but should be assisted by the Chiefs who know the real people who deserve assistance," said Chief Charumbira.
"It is bad that the intended beneficiaries end up not getting any assistance while Agritex officers and other Government officials benefit."
Seed Co donated 100kgs of maize seed to an individual chief while chiefs in some areas will also get soyabean seed.
Seed Co managing director Mr Dennis Zaranyika said his company was willing to assist vulnerable members of the society trough the Zunde RaMambo programme.
He urged chiefs to put the seed to good use and work with extension officers to attain high yields.
Labels: CHIEFS, FOOD, HUNGER, JOSEPH MADE, SEEDCO
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Chegutu farmer builds silos
Friday, 09 September 2011 02:00
Obert Chifamba
A Chegutu farmer Mr Tobias Musariri is building two silos at his farm to store grain after incurring heavy seed maize losses caused by poor handling facilities last farming season. The two silos will cost US$150 000 and have a holding capacity of 1 000 tonnes of grain.
"I secured a loan from a bank to see the project through. "I am also going to install dryers in the silos to make it possible for the harvesting of maize even when it is not fully dry for safe storage against weather elements, pests and even fires.
"This will also allow me to seek markets without pressure as all my grain will be safely stashed away in the silos where it will be fumigated against boring insects to prolong the shelf life," said Mr Musariri in an interview on Tuesday.
Mr Musariri has hired two South Africans and 12 locals for the construction of the silos that he says will be completed by the end of the month.
He said he had to hire contractors from South Africa, as there were few locals who had the skills to construct silos, something he said should be addressed by extensive training of local human resources.
"We need to train the human resource component, which happens to be one of the vital cogs in agricultural production.
"I have five students on attachment from various tertiary institutions at the moment and that should also help broaden our base of trained personnel," said Mr Musariri.
He lamented the absence of farming magazines on the local markets saying he ended up subscribing to South Africa's Farmers Weekly to bridge the information gap.
But Mr Musariri will take long to forget the loss that inspired him to start the silo project.
"I have lost between 45 and 50 tonnes of seed maize to weevils.
"The grain was ruined while it was still on the field as we could not harvest it all at once because of storage and mechanisation challenges.
"Harvesting manually cost us.
"Seed maize was on 100ha while commercial maize was also on a similar hectarage.
"We have already delivered 300t to Seed Co while another 223t are also ready for delivery.
"We are going to sell the ruined seed as commercial maize but for a lesser value," he said.
Mr Musariri said farmers needed to be capacitated to harvest and deliver at the right time, at their own pace and at the right prices so that they remained in business.
He also lamented the high costs of sustaining hired labour that he said was charging between US$2,50 and US$5 per day depending on the nature of the job.
Mr Musariri has 45 permanent employees at his Pool Farm while he hires around 100 extra hands whenever there is pressure.
Mr Musariri owns 1 100 hectares of land after merging the two farms he bought in 1980 and 1990 respectively.
Labels: AGRICULTURE, MAIZE, SEEDCO, SILOS
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Seed Co awards top farmer with tractor, cash
Friday, 26 August 2011 02:00
Herald Reporter
A CHIWESHE farmer Eckinos Gombera was crowned Seed Co farmer of the year in a hotly contested national crop farming competition for small holder communal and resettlement farmers.
Gombera scooped the first prize and won himself a tractor and US$1000 in a stiff competition pitting eight farmers from different provinces in the country.
The second prize and third winner took home grinding mills each and US$750 and US$650 respectively. The other five farmers walked away US$500 rich as well as generators each while extension officers were given motor bikes and cash prizes each.
As a way of encouraging higher productivity, Seed Co reintroduced the 10 Tonne Club for maize and 4 Tonne Club for soyabeans.
Seed Co managing director Mr Denis Zaranyika said the company had been running the competitions since 1982 to encourage better farming practices.
"We are satisfied with the progress we have made in this respect over the years and we see this competition continuing to play a significant role as the country strives to reclaim its breadbasket status for our region.
"We have enough stocks of seed for the coming summer cropping season. Realising that it is not just good enough to have stocks, we have embarked on a programme to ensure that the seeds are available to farmers on time," he said.
As such, Seed Co launched a Bumper Harvest Murigadzose/Umanqobazonke promotion which ensures that farmers buy inputs at their nearest stockist.
Secretary for Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Mr Ngoni Masoka said Governemnt was committed to ensuring that farmers are given support to build food reserves.
"Agriculture remains the backbone of our economy as it creates strong linkages with many upstream and downstream industries. The performance of our agriculture sector has a major effect on other key sectors of our economy. "
Labels: MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE MECHANISATION AND IRRIGATION (ZIMBABWE), SEEDCO
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Seed Co urges boost in food production
Friday, 24 June 2011 01:00
Agriculture Reporter
SEED CO has encouraged farmers to maximise production to reduce the effects of looming global food shortages. A boost in food production will ensure the country's food security and reduce money spent on imports.
Speaking at a hand over ceremony of funds towards the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union golf tournament, Seed Co public relations and communications manager Ms Majorie Mutemererwa said Zimbabwe was not immune to looming global food shortages. To this end, there was need for farmers to increase production.
"We feel that farmers play a vital role in the ensuring food security and also contribute towards the economy of the country. While farmers should work hard to feed the nation there is also need to find some time from the field and interact with each other," she said.
Ms Mutemererwa who handed over US$250 donation towards the tournament said functions like these were essential to facilitate a break and interaction of farmers with other stakeholders in the agriculture industry.
"While it may seem to be a sporting activity, some farmers may learn new business ideas from this golf tournament through interaction with their counterparts," she said.
Speaking at the same function, ZCFU secretary-general, Eng Adiel Karima said his organisation was willing to work with Seed Co and the seed company had always been forthcoming to the union's assistance.
"We hope to hold more business with the company, making sure that farmers will sustain this relationship by giving Seed Co continued business," he said.
Eng Karima encouraged farmers to attend social gatherings, as they are platforms of knowledge exchange.
Labels: SEEDCO, ZCFU
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Seed-Co to boost Malawi output
by Business Reporter
13/05/2011 00:00:00
CROP-SEED company, Seed-CO, which has operations in several African nations, plans to boost production more than three-fold at its Malawian unit this year, Alec Kasaila, its spokesman in Malawi has said.
The company will invest $4.6 million to build a processing plant in the capital, Lilongwe, Kasaila said on Friday. Production will probably increase to 15,000 metric tons of seed a year from about 4,000 tons, he said.
“The plant will be completed this year and will process primarily hybrid-corn seed, as well as soybean seed and groundnut seed,” he said.
Seed Co has been expanding on the continent and controls more than half the maize seed market in Malawi and Zambia, 40 percent of the Tanzanian market. It is also testing new maize varieties for sale in Ethiopia and West Africa.
The company, which also produces wheat and cotton seed, last year announced plans to raise maize seed production to 100,000 tonnes annually in the next three years, nearly double the projected output in 2010/2011.
Sales in the region were also boosted by demand from governments providing free and subsidised seeds to poor farmers in Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
"The increased donor support to governments in the region to improve food security will continue to push up demand for seed for the foreseeable future and that should see the company benefitting from that," group chief executive, Morgan Nzwere said last year.
Labels: MALAWI, SEEDCO, ZIMBABWE
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Seed Co eyes 50 percent profit growth
by MacDonald Dzirutwe
23/08/2010 00:00:00
ZIMBABWE’S largest seed producer, Seed Co sees profit rising at least 50 percent this fiscal year from $13 million in the year to March 2010, buoyed by growing sales at home and in the region.
Seed Co Chief Executive Morgan Nzwere said the government’s decision to ditch the worthless Zimbabwe dollar helped stem a decline in production at home, while demand was rising in southern Africa. The company has been expanding on the continent and controls more than half the maize seed market in Malawi and Zambia, 40 percent of the Tanzanian market.
It is also testing new maize varieties for sale in Ethiopia and West Africa.
"We should see an overall growth of 70 percent in seed production (and) the profit should increase substantially," Nzwere told Reuters in an interview on Monday. "I think we should be able to achieve at least a 50 percent growth in profits."
The company posted a net profit of $13.3 million during the year ended March 2010 after revenues rose 43 percent to $77 million.
Nzwere said the company, which also produces wheat and cotton seed, was planning to raise maize seed production to 100,000 tonnes annually in the next three years, nearly double the projected output in 2010/2011.
Seed Co reinstated dividends this year, paying shareholders 1.39 US cents a share and Nzwere said the company should be able to maintain its dividend policy in future.
Nzwere said the company would also be boosted by demand from governments providing free and subsidised seeds to poor farmers in Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
"The increased donor support to governments in the region to improve food security will continue to push up demand for seed for the foreseeable future and that should see the company benefitting from that," he said.
The Seed Co shares closed on Monday at $0.93 on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange, unchanged from last week.
Labels: MORGAN NZWERE, SEED, SEEDCO
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Invest heavily in seed varieties — Seed Co
Herald Reporters
Seed Co managing director Mr Dennis Zaranyika has underscored the need to invest heavily in research and development for continuous improvement of seed varieties suitable for all regions of the country.
Mr Zaranyika said it was imperative to develop varieties that could perform even under harsh conditions typical of the current global climatic changes. Seed provision and availability are critical in food security.
"We want to increase seed production as it is vital for food security. And we promise the country more seed next year.
"This year our company is focusing on high yields per hectare rather than spreading resources over a large area," Mr Zaranyika said.
Seed Co has 350 seed growers, but is scaling down to 150 to concentrate on high yields.
Seed growers were urged to improve yields for farming to be sustainable. Production levels of below four tonnes per hectare are generally unviable at the commercial scale.
Mr Zaranyika cautioned farmers against buying uncertified seed.
"Fake seed will not germinate properly and may be susceptible to pests and diseases, thereby greatly reducing yields.
"Farmers lose their money by buying fake seed. After applying fertilizers, herbicides and labour costs, the farmer will still get low yields if fake seed is planted. All other inputs are put to waste if seed is not genuine."
Mr Zaranyika said the deterrent sentence recently passed on a Harare man who was caught selling uncertified seed sent the correct message to all would-be offenders.
John Chirenje of Harare pleaded guilty to selling uncertified seed and was sentenced to three years in prison.
Meanwhile, Seed Co has released a new variety of maize that can produce up to 17 tonnes per hectare.
SC719 is a long season variety that is tolerant to maize streak virus, mottle virus and grey leaf spot.
Seed Co sales and marketing manager Mr Ivan Craig said the variety, which is already on the market, was for high rainfall areas such as natural regions 1, 2A and 2B.
The variety, he said, should be planted early for high yields.
Seed Co is in the process of capacitating research and development in agriculture to move in line with international technology changes.
This will see the release of new improved seed varieties that are suitable for the changes in weather patterns.
Seed co yesterday donated various foodstuffs to Ms Chipo Tembo, who was abandoned by her husband after delivering triplets earlier this year. The company adopted the family which it gives groceries every month.
Labels: DENNIS ZARANYIKA, SEED, SEEDCO
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Seedco earns US$10m from exports
By Katwishi Bwalya
Tuesday August 12, 2008 [04:00]
SEEDCO chairman Chance Kabaghe has said the company has realised US$10 million from the export of seeds to the southern and eastern African regions this year. Kabaghe said the export of seeds would not lead to any shortage in the country in view of the next farming season.
“We have enough stocks to cater for our farmers across the country so there is no need for our farmers to panic as a result of the exports because we have enough stocks,” he said in an interview.
Kabaghe also disclosed that SEEDCO had already started distributing seeds to farmers countrywide to avoid late delivery.
“We have started early this year because we want to avoid the late delivery of seeds to our farmers and what we have done is to open depots in our districts so that even farmers in the rural areas can have easy access to the seeds,” he said.
Kabaghe said the move was aimed at helping farmers to overcome some of their perennial challenges, consequently improving food security in the country.
“The seeds have already reached the districts so farmers can start getting them because we have opened enough depots to meet the demand of our farmers,” said Kabaghe.
Labels: CHANCE KABAGHE, SEEDCO
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