Published: 30 August 2013

SeedCo Chief Executive Morgan Nzwere told the AGM yesterday that SeedCo is optimistic about the forthcoming agriculture season as they expect the new government to pursue pro-agriculture policies.
 
"It is too early to talk about maize seed sales but we have started moving the seed to the market and stocking the outlets," he said.
 
Nzwere said their group sees opportunities created by the mismatch between maize productions of 900 000 tonnes and demand of 2.1 million tonnes.
 
SeedCo was awarded a tender of 1 800t of cotton seed in Malawi but there are lots of problems in the sector including the wars between ginners and farmers on pricing, and ginners amongst themselves because of side marketing.
 
The group is engaging the governments of Zambia and Malawi which are continuing their seed input programmes.
 
Volumes of winter cereals, wheat and barley, in Zimbabwe increased by 57% due to contract farming activity but that growth is coming off a low base. In Zambia volumes grew by 11% underpinned by robust commercial farming sector.
 
SeedCo is still owed money by the Zimbabwe government and the CE said they are anxiously waiting cabinet appointments, so that we know who to contact.
 
All amounts from government and donors in Malawi were paid off while in Zambia a small amount is still outstanding but SeedCo was promised payment end of September.

- zfn

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