As Zambia battles food security, the government has put its focus on feeding its nation and partnering with different stakeholders to meet the demand. This was announced recently by Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema during the opening of the multimillion-dollar maize seed factory in partnership with Bayer.
Bayer announced the opening of the new maizeß seed facility in Kabwe, Zambia. According to the company, the €32 million investment significantly expands the country’s capacity for high-quality maize seed production, tripling output to meet the needs of up to 30 million people in the region.
The initiative will provide high-yielding seeds to 6.4 million smallholder farmers in Zambia and other sub-Saharan African countries this year, with plans to reach 10 million by 2030.
Boosting seed production
The private sector investment ensures food security, increases productivity, and positions Zambia as a regional leader in seed production.
The chief executive officer of Bayer, Bill Anderson, who inaugurated the site alongside Hichilema, said millions of people around the world, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, suffer from severe food insecurity.
“Ending hunger is central to our mission at Bayer. With our new seed facility in Zambia, we want to make a meaningful contribution to that crucial goal,” he said.
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The power of private sector investment
In his speech, Hichilema stressed that private sector partnerships are essential for economic growth and job creation. “What you have done here is a great testament that investments do work for local people.”
Hichilema highlighted that Zambia’s agricultural development is part of a broader economic diversification strategy, moving beyond traditional reliance on copper mining.
“We tick that box – diversification from metals to agriculture. You cannot grow this country’s economy if you don’t export. Domestic demand is small so we have to export.
“An average small-scale farmer here produces only two tonnes per hectare. but with improved seeds and proper farming techniques, it is possible to achieve 10, 11, or even 12 tonnes per hectare.”
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema
Meanwhile, Zambia, like South Africa, faces the challenge of erratic rainfall and droughts. Hichilema highlighted the need for proactive adaptation strategies.
He noted, “We got exposed by one drought, which decapitated us. We need to thank God for our abundant water resources and shift from rain-fed agriculture to irrigation farming and water harvesting.”
Helping local farmers thrive
Debra Mallowah, the head of Bayer’s crop science division in Africa, emphasised that the new facility in Kabwe was made possible by the tireless efforts of Bayer’s teams, the support of the Zambian government, and, most importantly, the hard work of local farmers.
“It stands as a beacon of progress, one that will enhance food security, uplift farmers’ livelihoods, and contribute to agricultural development across the region,” Mallowah said.
A farmer representative, Godfrey Samutumwa, expressed his deep gratitude, highlighting the critical role of seed growers in boosting production and productivity.
“Bayer Zambia has been able to extend facilities to us growers so that we can sleep well. They have supported us in fertiliser provision, they have supported us in chemicals, and they have supported us in mechanisation, which are essential for good seed production,” he said.
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