Seed analysts are the silent force behind a successful harvest, ensuring quality from the start. Learn about this vital career, brought to you by the South African National Seed Organisation (Sansor).
Have you ever stopped to think about where our food truly begins? You might not realise it, but before a farmer plants anything in the soil, someone has already undertaken the careful work of ensuring that the seed is healthy, strong, and ready to grow. That person is a seed analyst.
In a world where we often take our food for granted, the work of a seed analyst is a critical yet frequently overlooked step in the journey from a tiny seed to the food on our plates.
Sarah Schulze, a logistics and quality assurance manager at Sakata Seed Southern Africa, breaks down the role, explaining that analysts examine both the actual physiology of the seed and its biological potential.
This involves meticulously assessing each seed lot for its germination potential, physical purity, moisture, and seed count. This is far more than a routine check; it forms the very foundation of a seed company’s entire quality promise.
According to Schulze, “It really is the base point for where any seed company’s quality begins.”
Passion for science
Schulze’s journey into seed analysis was anything but linear. Like many scientists, she began with a broad interest in the field. “I didn’t actually know much about seed physiology or the agricultural field as such,” she admits.
Her academic background was in molecular biology and genetics, and she was drawn to Sakata by her interest in food security and plant growth.
Schulze’s story is a compelling example of how a passion for science can lead to unexpected yet deeply meaningful careers. “If you study science, it can lend itself to a lot of different areas,” she says.
She was able to use her scientific foundation to branch into a field she considers to be of immense importance.
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The silent guarantee of a bountiful harvest
Schulze explains that a seed is a living organism, and its quality can fluctuate. “It doesn’t behave the same all the time… It does deteriorate. And every production is different.”
This is precisely why seed analysts are indispensable. They work constantly in the lab, checking quality from the moment the seed is produced right through its lifespan.
Their work ensures that farmers, particularly smallholder farmers in South Africa, begin with the best possible chance of success. “You can’t get a good crop with great yield if you’re starting with poor quality seed,” she states.
In the South African context, seed analysts play a vital role in supporting smallholder farmers. By providing detailed information about each seed lot, they enable farmers to make informed decisions.
“If we can help guide people to make sure that the right crop, the right lot is used in the right place at the right time, it really does guarantee success,” she explains.
The next generation of seed analysts
For young people considering a career path, seed science is a growing field with enormous potential.
Schulze acknowledges that such opportunities are not always widely known, yet she passionately encourages those with an interest in science, food security, or agriculture to explore what the field offers.
Her advice for the next generation of seed analysts is straightforward: “You have to be interested, which is always one of those things that if the interest isn’t there, you’re never going to make someone or force someone to be interested.”
The work calls for a particular type of person – someone “science-minded”, detail-oriented, and truly passionate.
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