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NewsDay

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We have enough supplies: Seed Co

Business
The country’s leading producer and marketer of crop seed, Seed Co, says it has enough seed to supply the market and there won’t be shortages in the forthcoming agricultural season.

The country’s leading producer and marketer of crop seed, Seed Co, says it has enough seed to supply the market and there won’t be shortages in the forthcoming agricultural season.

BY TARISAI MANDIZHA

Seed Co group chief executive officer, Morgan Nzwere yesterday told NewsDay that the company had more stocks than last year’s seed produce of 13 000 metric tonnes .

“I know that we, as Seed Co, have enough seed compared to what we had last year. Last year we sold 13 000 tonnes of seed and this year we also have some seed that remained from the previous season,” he said.

seedco

His remarks come after Bikita West MP Munyaradzi Kereke told the National Assembly during the question-and-answer session that the total local produce for seed was around 20 000 metric tonnes when the country needs around 50 000 metric tonnes.

“I have conducted snap surveys looking at the maize seed situation, and the major producers are saying the total local produce is around 20 000 metric tonnes when the country needs around 50 000 metric tonnes. What is the policy to ensure that this season the country has enough seed?” Kereke asked.\

Agriculture deputy minister Paddy Zhanda responded: “I want to thank the MP for highlighting that deficit in the supply of maize seed. Admittedly I am not aware of that deficit and all along I had the impression that we had enough. I do not know the methods he used to ascertain what stocks we have, but I will definitely look into the issue.”

Nzwere said Seed Co contributes 70% of the market requirement.

Apart from Seed Co, other seed companies in the country include Pannar, Pioneer, Karoo and Quton Seed Company. Seed supplies are also augmented by imports from neighbouring countries.

Nzwere said the environment was tough with low prevailing liquidity.

“Things are not easy as far as the market is concerned. I don’t think 50 000 is exactly what is required.

“It is a tough economic environment and there is low liquidity so someone has to really look and see where the market is,” Nzwere said.