In the spirit of collaboration, learning, and forward-thinking agriculture, Seed Co recently embarked on a trip to India, bringing along six of its top-performing agro-dealers to immerse themselves in the innovative practices of Syngenta and Lima Grain in India.

Held between 30th June and 2nd July 2025, this visit was strategically positioned within Hyderabad of Telangana province of India, a key provincial agricultural hub in India. It served Seed Co’s commitment to staying at the forefront of modern agriculture while also celebrating its 85th year under the banner of “Keep Growing.”

Our journey began in Hayath Nagar in Hyderabad, a city rapidly gaining prominence as an agricultural innovation centre in India. In partnership with Syngenta, we hosted our agro-dealers, DT Agro Dealers, Mumocha Enterprises, Dawako Enterprises, Luanshya Agro Dealers, Tilo Agro Dealers, and BLV Agro Dealers.

At the heart of Syngenta’s presentation was their supermodel distribution system, a well-structured, data-driven and decentralised distribution framework that links seed production, warehousing, and retail outlets in a seamless loop. This model ensures that seeds and inputs reach even the most remote farmers efficiently, maintaining quality, traceability, and market responsiveness.

The delegation was particularly impressed by how Syngenta integrates real-time data monitoring, logistics optimisation, and seasonal forecasting into their operations. One agro dealer from Dawako Enterprises remarked,

“It’s like seeing the future in action, the speed, accuracy, and coordination they’ve mastered is something we can really aspire to implement back home.”

A strong takeaway from these sessions was the value of digital integration in agro distribution. The technical team demonstrated mobile-based tools used by Syngenta to track inventory, predict demand trends, and offer advisory services to farmers. These tools not only support distributors but empower smallholder farmers through tailored recommendations.

DT Agro Dealers’ representative reflected, “What we’ve seen here can reshape how we think about supply chains in Zambia. It’s not just about moving products, it’s about creating intelligent systems that support farmers holistically.”

On the 1st of July, the team transitioned to Dilapur village in Gajwel Mandal, Siddipet district, Telangana Province for a second leg of the trip. Here, learning took on a more grassroots dimension as the team participated in a field-based sharing session with farmers, organised by Syngenta.

The visit offered the team a unique look into intercropping systems, a sustainable agricultural method that’s gaining traction in both Asia and Africa. Indian farmers shared their success stories around combining field crops with legumes or vegetables to maximise yields and reduce pest pressures.
One of the most memorable moments was hearing a local Tamil farmer explain how the Syngenta maize varieties had been giving him a better and profitable yield compared to other maize brands. His sentiments closely mirrored some of the profitable varieties like SC 719 promoted by Seed Co across Zambia.

The visit concluded with a trip to one of Syngenta’s top agro dealers. This model is especially relevant for regions like Zambia where access to consistent supply and technical support remains a challenge.
Luanshya Agro Dealers’ representative put it aptly: “Seeing a system where one central dealer supports 80 others with training, stock management, and credit access, that’s revolutionary. We could try a version of this at home.”

On the 2nd of July, the final leg of the visit began at Sri Matha Agro Agencies in Kamareddy, Raju, where participants explored the operational dynamics of regional distribution. The journey concluded in Sri Mallikarja Agro Chemicals in Chegunta, Srikanth, where the team met an exceptional agro dealer managing a network of over 80 smaller dealers under his umbrella.

This “dealer-of-dealers” concept vividly illustrated how a hub-and-spoke model can revolutionise agro-distribution by bringing consistency, quality assurance, and scalability into the system. For many in the Seed Co delegation, this was a defining moment that reinforced the need to reimagine agro-dealer networks back home to enhance rural outreach and market efficiency.

Beyond the practical lessons, this trip carried symbolic value. It was more than a benchmarking exercise, it was Seed Co’s celebration of 85 years of continued partnerships with agro dealers, the real backbone of agricultural development. This milestone was commemorated through meaningful conversations, cultural immersion, and a mutual exchange of ideas.

As Seed Co continues to innovate and expand across the continent, empowering its agro-dealer network remains a strategic priority. Trips like this are not one-offs, they are part of a bigger vision to create learning ecosystems that link continents, knowledge, and communities.

As Seed Co looks toward the next 85 years, the message is clear: “Keep Growing” is not just a tagline, it is a philosophy rooted in connection, innovation, and community.