Online Reporter
Lonster Mutata
Herald Correspondent
Zimbabwe has intensified preparations for the 2026/2027 summer cropping season, with the Government expressing confidence in the country’s seed preparedness following a high-level tour of the Seed Co Stapleford Seed Processing Plant in Mt Hampden by Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka.
The recent visit came at a critical time as authorities move to safeguard national food security amid forecasts of lower rainfall in the forthcoming agricultural season, with seed quality, availability and timely market delivery emerging as key pillars in the country’s production strategy.
Inside the vast Stapleford processing complex, giant dryers hummed continuously while conveyor belts carried streams of freshly conditioned seed through a modernised processing chain, reflecting the country’s growing investment in agricultural innovation and climate resilience.
Dr Masuka said the Government was closely assessing national seed stocks and production capacity as it finalises plans for the 2026/27 summer season, stressing that seed availability would directly influence national productivity.
“As we undertake planning for the 2026/27 summer season, we want to understand seed availability because this directly influences both the quality and quantity of what we intend to produce,” he said.
“Particularly in light of predictions of lower rainfall, we are paying close attention to the varieties being produced here, the upgrades that Seed Co has implemented and the technologies they are introducing to strengthen seed quality and processing efficiency.”
The introduction of advanced colour sorting technology at the plant represented a major step forward in the country’s seed value chain, enabling the company to process seed more efficiently while significantly improving quality standards.
Dr Masuka said the technology would also allow Seed Co to receive maize cobs with moisture levels of up to 35 percent, creating operational flexibility that would help farmers and processors transition more smoothly into winter wheat production.
“There is a general impressive improvement at this processing plant, but above all, I am particularly pleased with the colour sorter because it will greatly improve the quality of seed reaching farmers,” said Dr Masuka.
Workers at the plant were seen moving systematically across different sections as tonnes of seed passed through drying, conditioning, grading and treatment stages before packaging, highlighting the scale and sophistication now characterising the seed industry.
Seed Co managing director Mrs Felistus Ndawi-Gurajena said they were fully prepared for the coming summer season and are leveraging modern technology to ensure seed reaches farmers earlier than before.
“We are excited to host the Honourable Minister at our factory and warehouse where we have been showcasing our preparedness for the summer cropping season,” she said.
“As you can see, our machines are in full operation, with seed coming through our factory drier and already being conditioned and treated.
“We also took the opportunity to show the Minister our new colour sorting machine, which is a game-changing technology in terms of seed cleaning.”
Mrs Ndawi-Gurajena said the new equipment had drastically reduced the time previously required for manual seed cleaning, accelerating processing timelines and improving efficiency.
“This machine is now doing work which previously took us months to complete physically.
“We are now cleaning seed much faster using the colour sorting machine, which means we can treat seed earlier and get it onto the market much earlier than before,” she said.
The company demonstrated the entire seed value chain to Dr Masuka, from seed intake from contracted growers to drying, conditioning, treatment and final preparation for distribution to farmers across the country.
