Zambia’s Strategic Role in High-Quality Seed Production in the Region
Zambia has steadily positioned itself as a key player in the production of high-quality seeds within the Southern African region.
The country’s favorable agro-climatic conditions, investment in research and development, and strong collaboration between the public and private sectors have enabled the growth of a robust seed industry.
Key institutions such as the Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI) and several other certified private seed companies have equally contributed to the breeding, testing, and in the distributing of improved seed varieties that are drought-tolerant, pest-resistant and climate-resilient.
Zambian-produced seeds particularly for crops like maize, soybeans, groundnuts and further other legumes have literally gained regional special recognitions for their impressive performance and reliability.
These seeds are being exported and adopted in neighboring countries such as Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo, helping to enhance yields and improve food security beyond Zambia’s borders.
Moreover, Zambia’s participation in regional harmonization trade protocols under the SADC and COMESA has substantially improved seed certification and cross-border trade, allowing for much easier movement of quality-assured seed varieties across the region with the policy and regulations complimenting positive conditions.
This positions Zambia not just as a producer, but as a trusted regional hub and partner for agricultural inputs which now extends to fertilizer supplies.
With continued investment in innovation, quality control and extension services, Zambia is well-placed to expand its seed export capacity and deepen its contribution to regional agricultural transformation and resilience.
