Online Reporter
Muchaneta Chimuka and Precious Manomano
The importance of public–private partnerships for food security and self‑sustenance has once again been demonstrated through the launch of new drought‑tolerant seed varieties by Seed Co, with Government backing.
The new varieties include SC449 for maize and SC W9104 for wheat, unveiled at the Rattray Arnold Research Station Demonstration Field in Goromonzi, Mashonaland East.
Showing the importance Government places on these partnerships, the programme was officially launched by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri, who was accompanied by Professor Paul Mavima, the Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities.
The event was attended by farmers from all eight rural provinces, students from local schools, and Seed Co agronomists from Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique and other countries.
Participants toured Seed Co’s Rattray Arnold Research Station Demonstration Field, where they observed seed varieties for maize, cowpeas, sunflowers, wheat, sorghum and millet.
Professor Jiri said the field day was not merely an event, but a testament to the power of public–private partnerships and a demonstration of innovation within the agricultural industry.
“The innovation you see around you today is perfectly aligned with His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s vision of an empowered and prosperous upper middle‑income society by 2030.
“The vehicle to achieve this is our National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), and its sectoral blueprint, the Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy,” he said.
He added that Seed Co directly contributes to the four agricultural pillars: food security and sovereignty, nutrition security, improved livelihoods and wealth creation, and agriculture‑led economic growth.
“The high‑yielding potential of the seed on display is what transforms subsistence farming into a profitable enterprise, acting as the catalyst for the commercialisation that lifts entire rural communities out of poverty, thereby ensuring improved livelihoods and wealth creation.
“Ultimately, this research station is driving the sector towards its audacious goal of becoming a US$15.8 billion industry by 2030, a critical pillar of national agriculture‑led economic growth.”
Head of Agronomy and Seed Co Africa public relations manager, Wendy Madzura, said the company would continue conducting research on seed varieties suited to specific ecological regions to support nutrition security and counter the effects of climate change.
“Our main thrust is to rally towards seed innovation and climate‑smart agriculture, which ensures food security by boosting productivity and enhancing resilience to climate change. We are introducing these new drought‑tolerant varieties to secure livelihoods against climate variability,” she said.
Seed Co Global Head of Research and Development, Dr Gorden Mabuyaye, said the two new varieties would significantly boost food security.
“On this maize variety, we are looking at 128 days to maturity. But over and above that, we are looking at 11 tonnes per hectare under high‑potential conditions. That is a huge gain that we have registered in this variety.
“The fact that we have registered it in more than three African countries in Southern Africa shows you that the variety is robust, climate‑smart and responsive. It has other adaptive traits like stay‑green. We also find very strong resistance to lodging. It defends against diseases like leaf spot and common rust.
“These are the adaptive traits that make it well‑suited and successful across the region.
“Then on wheat, this is a white‑flour‑colour variety. You know some varieties produce off‑white flour, but this one consistently gives a bright white flour.
“It yields 10 tonnes per hectare, and its protein content is a cut above the rest at 18 percent.”
