Zimbabwe Country Report Launch

The 2022 TASAI Zimbabwe Country Report summarizes the findings of the TASAI study conducted in Zimbabwe in 2022 by the TASAI team and two local seed industry experts. The results highlight some positive developments since the last TASAI study in 2017. Despite experiencing several macroeconomic shocks over the past few years, Zimbabwe’s formal seed system has continued to grow.  

Results of the research and development category suggest that Zimbabwe has more private breeders (28) than public breeders (5). Compared to other African countries whose plant breeding activities typically take place in the public domain, Zimbabwe’s private companies are supported by strong breeding programs. Additionally, 24 out of 46 varieties released had some special features (mainly climate smartness). In terms of industry competitiveness, 11 new companies entered Zimbabwe’s seed market for maize, bean, and sorghum between 2016 and 2021. Despite the seed market remaining highly concentrated, the new companies contributed to an increased level of seed production.

Though Zimbabwe does not yet have a standalone seed policy, it has a seed law, seed regulations, and regulatory institutions to regulate the seed sector. In 2021, the seed companies surveyed were satisfied with the Seed Services Institute’s (SSI) enforcement of laws. Zimbabwe’s seed industry is also guided by a strong institutional support network. Among countries surveyed by TASAI between 2020 and 2022, Zimbabwe leads with the highest number of private seed inspectors (77) and the highest satisfaction rating (83%) for seed inspectors. The Zimbabwe Seed Association (ZSA), which represents the interests of the private seed sector in the country, was also highly rated by most of its members. Finally, the government has increased the number of extension officers and has made significant investments in motorbikes, training programs, and digital tools to ensure long-term service provision to smallholder farmers.

The report was published following a successful dissemination meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe on November 8, 2022, where findings were validated and discussed by members of Zimbabwe’s public and private seed sectors.