“Seed is the beginning of every harvest, but a successful crop also requires knowledge, care and persistence.”

This was the message from Seed Co Zambia Commercial Director, Ms Mukumbi Kyalusanza, as Seed Co Zambia launched its “Adopting Zambia, One Province at a Time” initiative with a handover to Solwezi Boys Provincial STEM Secondary School in North-Western Province.

As part of the initiative, Seed Co provided farming inputs and equipment to support the school’s one-hectare farming project, including seed, fertiliser, herbicides, a water pump, drip lines, grain bags and other essential inputs.

The initiative aligns with the Presidential Irrigation Initiative (PII) and the Government’s broader efforts to promote irrigation, increase agricultural productivity and strengthen food production.

Speaking at the handover, Ms Kyalusanza emphasised that the initiative goes beyond providing farming inputs. It is about giving young people an opportunity to gain practical agricultural knowledge and understand that farming is a business.

Through the project, pupils will take part in the full farming cycle, from land preparation and planting to crop management, irrigation and harvesting, with Seed Co providing agronomic support throughout the season.

The Provincial Agricultural Coordinator, Mr Miyobo Shimabale, welcomed the intervention and highlighted the importance of partnerships between Government, the private sector and educational institutions in advancing agricultural development and practical learning.

He described Seed Co’s contribution as a significant donation with the potential to benefit the school, its pupils and the wider community.

For the Headmistress of Solwezi Boys Provincial STEM Secondary School, Dr Violet Mutonyi, the handover marked a momentous occasion. She highlighted some of the challenges the school has faced in advancing its agricultural activities and expressed her gratitude to Seed Co for the support.

Dr Mutonyi also expressed the school’s commitment to building a meaningful partnership with Seed Co and using the opportunity to strengthen practical agricultural learning for its pupils.

The event brought together Seed Co Zambia management and staff, government representatives, school leadership, teachers, pupils and members of the press, reflecting the importance of collaboration in creating meaningful impact.

For Seed Co, Solwezi marks the beginning of the “Adopting Zambia, One Province at a Time” journey.

By investing in young people and equipping them with practical agricultural skills, Seed Co is contributing to a generation that can see agriculture not only as a source of food, but also as a business and an opportunity.

The seeds planted today are about more than the harvest. They are seeds of knowledge, opportunity and a stronger future for Zambia’s agricultural sector.

Solwezi is the beginning. The vision is Zambia, one province at a time.