Seed Co International is ramping up investments in irrigation, processing infrastructure and climate-adaptive seed varieties to safeguard regional seed supply ahead of the forecast Super El Niño expected to affect Southern Africa during the 2026/27 agricultural season.
Presenting the group’s audited financial results for the year ended 31 March, 2026, Chief Executive Officer, Morgan Nzwere said increasing climate volatility remained one of the group’s biggest operational risks.
“The Group has identified increasing climatic volatility as a key operating risk, with a Super El Niño forecast for Southern Africa in the 2026/27 season,” he said.
To cushion the business against the anticipated weather shock, Nzwere said the company had significantly expanded irrigation capacity.
“Seventy percent of Group production is now under irrigation, with Malawi at 40 percent,” he said.
Seed Co has also strengthened post-harvest handling through investments in processing technology.
“The Group has commissioned a colour sorter in Zimbabwe and improved artificial drier efficiency to reduce post-harvest losses.”
Nzwere said the company was also expanding its supply chain infrastructure through investments in factories, warehousing, irrigation and modular seed driers.
“The Tanzania factory and Zambia Depot Warehouse are scheduled for commissioning in September 2026,” he said.
On adaptation measures, Nzwere said the group was leveraging its regional footprint and research capabilities.
“Other mitigations include regional diversity, with East Africa expected to receive better rains, and varietal mix placement to match seed to expected growing conditions.”
He said Seed Co had developed a strong pipeline of climate-adaptive crop varieties covering maize, wheat, soybean, sorghum and rice.
The varieties include SC649 and SC561 white maize for Zambia to improve drought and heat tolerance, SC681 yellow maize for Nigeria to support West Africa expansion, SC652 and SC710 yellow maize for Zambia’s growing yellow maize market, SC632 yellow maize for Zimbabwe and the commercial launch of white wheat to help meet rising local demand and reduce imports.
Maize remained the group’s core crop, accounting for 92 percent of total Seed Co International sales volumes of 46 836 metric tonnes during the year under review. Nzwere said the company was targeting early processing and production readiness for the 2026/27 season as part of its operational discipline
