Seed Co Varieties Shine in the 2025 Winter Production Season

As the 2024/2025 summer farming season concludes, many Malawian farmers are reflecting on the severe challenges it brought. The season was marked by erratic rainfall patterns, prolonged dry spells in critical growth stages, and widespread crop stress. These harsh conditions emphasized the urgent need for climate-smart agricultural practices and more resilient crop choices.

With the 2025 winter production window now underway, farmers are turning to short-season, high-yielding seed varieties to recover from summer losses and ensure food security. Seed Co, a leader in innovative agricultural solutions, offers a wide range of seed varieties specifically adapted to winter growing conditions—helping farmers to bounce back with confidence.

Maize Varieties for Winter Production

Ultra Early Maturing (Kalulu)
For quick gains and an early harvest, ultra early maturing variety like SC301 is an excellent choice. This variety matures in just 80 days and yields up to 50 bags (2.5 tons) per acre, making it ideal for the short winter window.

animal maturity icon

Very Early Maturing (Kanyani)
SC403, SC419, and SC423 are very early maturing maize varieties that reach harvest in 90 days, with a yield potential of 60 bags (3 tons) per acre. These varieties are well-suited to unpredictable winter weather.

animal maturity icon

Early Maturing (Mbidzi)
For those seeking maximum yield potential, early maturing varieties such as SC529 and SC555 take 115 days to mature but offer yields of up to 80 bags (4 tons) per acre.

Rice Option
Nerica 4 (Upland Rice)

Nerica 4 is an upland rice variety maturing in 100 days, with a yield potential of 32 bags (1.6 tons) per acre. It is highly suited for winter rice production in Malawi’s upland zones.

Bean Option
NUA45 (Beans)

NUA45 is a fast-maturing bean variety that matures in just 70 days and can yield up to 20 bags (1 ton) per acre. It is an excellent option for farmers looking to diversify during the winter season.

In conclusion

Choosing Seed Co winter varieties is a smart and profitable decision for farmers looking to maximize output and income. These maize varieties allow for two to three irrigated crops annually, feature large cob sizes ideal for green mealie markets, and are exceptionally sweet when cooked or roasted—boosting consumer appeal. They also offer strong tolerance to moisture stress and leafy diseases, ensuring reliable yields. In addition to maize, Seed Co’s upland rice and sugar bean varieties are well-adapted for winter production, providing farmers with more diversification options and additional revenue streams. With Seed Co, you get quality, resilience, and profitability across multiple crops.


Summary of Seed Co Winter Varieties

CropVarietySeed Rate (kg/acre)Maturity (days)Yield Potential (bags/acre)
MaizeSC301, SC303108050
MaizeSC403, SC419, SC423109060
MaizeSC529, SC537, SC5551011580
RiceNerica 41210032
BeansNUA45407020

📞 For expert guidance and support, contact Seed Co Agronomists today:
0888 676 285 | 0993 365 639 | 0998 639 725 | 0888199802