Lusaka, Zambia – This year’s Seed Co Zambia National Field Day will be remembered not just for its scale, drawing an unprecedented crowd of over 3,000 to 3,500 farmers and stakeholders, but for a defining moment in agricultural innovation. At the heart of the event was the official launch of two groundbreaking varieties, SC561 maize and the Canova F1 tomato, marking a bold step forward in both field crops and horticulture.

Seed Co Zambia has marked its leadership in agricultural advancement by introducing SC561 as a complementary hybrid to its existing variety basket while simultaneously expanding its footprint in the vegetable segment with the Canova F1 tomato, distinguished by its rich, deep red qualities and strong market appeal. These launches reflect a deliberate shift toward integrated, innovation-led productivity across value chains.

During the launch, the President of the Republic of Zambia Mr. Hakainde Hichilema congratulated Seed Co Zambia on the introduction of the two new varieties and reiterated the central role of productivity in national development. 

“Food production is not only a necessity, but also an economic driver. Without food, there is no stability. Without food, there is no future,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Board Chairperson Chance Kabaghe highlighted that the convergence of technology, innovation, and research remains the driving force behind Seed Co’s continued success, noting that these pillars have directly led to the development of transformative solutions such as SC561. 

He explained that the newly launched variety represents the next generation of climate-smart seed, combining early maturity, resilience, and high yield potential to support farmers in increasingly unpredictable climatic conditions.

“SC561 is a clear testament to what is possible when science meets purpose,” he stated.

And Minister of Technology and Science, Honourable Felix Mutati, positioned the launch within a broader national transformation agenda, explaining that Zambia is witnessing the rise of a technology-driven agricultural ecosystem. 

He stressed that institutions such as Seed Co Zambia are evolving into innovation hubs that integrate research, connectivity, and digital systems to drive productivity at scale. He added that government efforts to expand rural connectivity, digitise farmer systems, and deploy emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence are fundamentally reshaping how agriculture is practiced.

“Agriculture in Zambia is no longer just about growing crops. It is about growing intelligence, growing efficiency, and growing opportunity,” he said.

At the centre of this transformation is Seed Co Zambia’s commitment to innovation, embodied in the two newly launched varieties. SC561 offers farmers a climate-smart, early maturing maize hybrid with strong yield potential, excellent standability, and resilience, making it ideal for adapting to shorter and more erratic rainfall patterns. On the other hand, the Canova F1 tomato introduces a premium horticultural solution, characterised by its deep red colour, uniform fruit size, strong shelf life, and consistent performance across diverse growing conditions.

Anchored under the theme “Leveraging Innovation for Sustainable and Enhanced Productivity,” the launch of SC561 and Canova F1 is more than a product introduction, it is a statement of intent. It signals Seed Co Zambia’s continued investment in research, technology, and farmer-centred solutions, ensuring that productivity is not only increased, but sustained.

In this moment, innovation is no longer an abstract concept, it is visible in every seed, every field, and every farmer empowered to grow not just crops, but a more productive and resilient future.

This article was authored by Tapela Lungu who is the Group Digital Officer for Seed Co International 25.03.2026