Seed Co Zambia started off in 1997 as a local sales agent, with just four staff members housed by then Lonrho Ltd. Within two years Seed Co Zambia started producing seed locally of up to 400 MT of maize seed. In 2001, Seed Co acquired office property in Lusaka’s Industrial Area and its production jumped to 2,500 MT. Other crops such as Soya beans, Sorghum, Sugar beans and Groundnuts were produced too. In 2003 Seed Co started exporting seed to the region.
In 2004 Seed Co moved office to Makeni area due to increased seed production. In 2005 seed production had reached 12,000MT due to increased local and export seed demand. By 2006, Seed Co seed production had reached 25,000 MT and Seed Co Zambia became a strategic seed reserve for the Seed Co group.
In 2011 Seed Co Zambia moved to the Business Complex, where a $7 million processing plant, comprising of a 20,000 MT capacity processing plant and administration block was built on Mumbwa Road in Lusaka. The complex also houses a laboratory for seed testing for moisture content, physical purity and member determination and germination of seed. Currently, Seed Co employs 200 employees.
Our proud African footprint
Each stride across the continent reflects the growth of the Seed Co brand and the trust of its farmers. Seed Co is dedicated to meaningful sales activities which only happen when farmers are well supported throughout the seasons. As The African Seed Company, Seed Co is contributing to the success of the African farmer and the continent’s food security through improving seed quality and exciting yield performance.
Can't find the answer you are looking for? We have shared some of our frequently asked questions to help you out.
Seed Co’s Head office is 23km away from Lusaka City Centre, on Mumbwa Road. Seed Co services its customers through depots dotted around the country. There are depots in Lusaka (sales@seedco.co.zm), Choma (choma@seedco.co.zm), Chipata (chipata@seedco.co.zm), Mkushi (mkushi@seedco.co.zm), Kasama (mpika@seedco.co.zm), Kitwe (kitwe@seedco.co.zm), and Mpika (mpika@seedco.co.zm). SeedCo has also Sales Agents in Western, North Western and Luapula. Call our Head Office on 0211-846367-70 or visit our website www.seedco.co.zm for more information.
Yes! Seed Co has three yellow maize varieties, namely SC 506 with a potential of 6 metric tonnes (120x 50kg bags) per hectare yield and SC602 and SC608 with potential of 13 metric tonnes (260 x 50 kg bags) and 14 metric tonnes per hectare respectively. Yellow maize varieties produce sweet green mealies and are suitable for livestock feed. If one would like to grow it to full maturity, it takes 130-136 days.
There is no substitute to the right variety, and that’s why Seed Co always emphasizes on maturity series relative to intended area of production because the water resource is a highly dependent factor. Plant at the right time to optimise water use, provide right fertiliser at the right time and keep the crop weed free and healthy. Once the crop is healthy and well fed to help it achieve its required grain filling, you will get potential yields.
%before shuttering (grain dispersal). Shuttering can be a major cause of field loss. All Seed Co soybean varieties yield between 3 and 6 tonnes per hectare.
Commercial farmers use herbicides on Seed Co soybean varieties and have succeeded.
From our many registered agro dealers spread throughout the country. These have seed Seller’s Licences issued by Seed Control and Certification Institute.
It depends on the target yield and soil fertility status. Clay soils are thirsty while sandy soils are hungry. The basic recommended levels are 200 kg basal D/C plus 200kgs urea per hectare. Note that maize varieties respond positively to increased fertiliser and other crop management factors.
All our current maize varieties produce a single cob, so one kernel will produce one cob.
Insufficient fertiliser will give below potential grain yield.
Zambia
Seed Co Group
Botswana
Kenya
Malawi
Nigeria
Tanzania
Zimbabwe
West & Central Africa
South Africa
