Harare, Zimbabwe | Seed Co, a prominent African seed producer, joined forces with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in a press conference to address the ongoing challenge of counterfeit seed products affecting farmers and agricultural productivity in Zimbabwe.
The conference highlighted the collaborative efforts of Seed Co and ZRP to protect farmers from fraudulent seed suppliers and the critical need for quality seeds to support Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector.
The event was attended by Commissioner Paul Nyathi, Assistant Inspectors Kajombo and Ngwaru, as well as Constables Makohwo and Musikambesa from the ZRP Public Relations department, who were acknowledged for their ongoing support in tackling the illegal seed trade.
Representatives from the media and Seed Co’s own team were also present.
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Seed Co expressed gratitude to ZRP for their enduring partnership in cracking down on fake seed dealers. “This operation demonstrates the value of our collaborative efforts to uphold standards in Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector,” noted a Seed Co representative, emphasizing the critical role law enforcement plays in safeguarding the integrity of Zimbabwe’s seed market.
Seed Co is a major contributor to Zimbabwe’s GDP and has invested extensively in advanced seed technology. The company has been proactive in implementing innovations, such as expanding seed processing lines, upgrading factory dryers, and establishing research and development labs for molecular breeding and genetic purity testing. Additionally, Seed Co provides financial support to seed growers for infrastructure projects like irrigation, further strengthening the agricultural landscape.
The company emphasized its commitment to sustainability, offering training on agronomic practices and climate-smart crop varieties. Seed Co’s high-yielding, drought-tolerant seeds have proven vital in helping farmers produce resilient crops capable of withstanding Zimbabwe’s changing climate.
With the 2024/2025 selling season underway, Seed Co expressed optimism about the anticipated above-average rainfall, based on forecasts from the Met Department.
Seed Co reassured farmers of its preparedness to meet the demand for seeds suitable for every agro-ecological region in the country.
Seed Co’s extensive product line includes maize, wheat, barley, soybean, sugar beans, and various vegetable seeds. During the conference, the company presented several key maize varieties:
- SC303 (Tsuro): Ultra early maturity, heat and drought tolerant
- SC419/SC437 (Soko): Very early maturity, heat and drought tolerant
- SC555/SC513/SC529 (Mbizi): Early maturity, disease tolerant
- SC649/SC657/SC659/SC665/SC608 (Shumba): Medium maturity, high yields
- SC719/SC727/SC729 (Nzou): Late maturity, high yields
In addition to maize, Seed Co also announced the test marketing of sunflower and rice varieties, which are expected to bring new opportunities to the agricultural sector.
Seed Co expressed deep concern over the proliferation of counterfeit seeds, which often come in fake packaging that is difficult to distinguish from the original.
“Fake seeds not only undermine Seed Co’s brand but also have devastating effects on farmers and the agricultural economy,” said the spokesperson.
Fake seed sellers often use stolen or replicated packaging to deceive customers, resulting in significant financial losses for farmers who unknowingly purchase counterfeit products.
To educate farmers, Seed Co emphasized the importance of purchasing seeds only from reputable distributors or Seed Co’s own shops, which are strategically located within a 2 km radius of farming communities.
The Seed Act and Trademark Act prohibit the sale of counterfeit seeds, and Seed Co encourages the public to report fraudulent activities. The company shared data on the effectiveness of their partnership with ZRP in combating the fake seed market:
- 2020/2021: 51 cases reported, 138 tonnes recovered
- 2021/2022: 47 cases reported, 117.5 tonnes recovered
- 2022/2023: 40 cases reported, 74 tonnes recovered
- 2023/2024: 35 cases reported, 35 tonnes recovered
The decline in cases over the years indicates the success of Seed Co and ZRP’s ongoing efforts. The goal, according to Seed Co, is to reach a point where zero cases of fake seeds are reported.
To further protect farmers, Dr. Mabuyaye, Seed Co’s head of Research and Development, provided an in-depth explanation of certified and hybrid seeds, clarifying the distinctions between these and untreated grain. Dr. Mabuyaye emphasized that certified seeds undergo rigorous testing to ensure quality, germination rate, and disease resistance—traits not found in grain marketed as seed.
In closing, Seed Co urged farmers to “start with the right seed” by buying from authorized sellers and to report any suspicious products to ZRP.
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