A quiet but consequential shift is under way in Zambia’s agricultural economy. Driven by deliberate policy direction, sustained investment in modern production systems and strengthened public-private partnerships, the country is emerging as a serious force in global seed production, exporting to markets across Africa and as far afield as Europe and setting its sights on becoming one of the continent’s most reliable suppliers of high-quality agricultural inputs.
Cabinet Secretary Patrick Kangwa, speaking during a working visit to Mkushi District in Central Province, attributed the sector’s momentum to improved infrastructure, structured value chains and a more export-oriented approach to agricultural development. Zambian seed is currently reaching Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Angola, Nigeria and Senegal, alongside European markets including Italy and France, a geographical spread that reflects both production quality and growing international confidence in Zambian supply.
The numbers reinforce the narrative. Zambia produced 178,000 metric tonnes of maize seed in 2025, with over 88,000 metric tonnes exported,nearly double the 52,000 metric tonnes exported in 2024. Agriculture Minister Reuben Mtolo, speaking at the ZAMSEED Partnership Field Day in Chisamba District, said the result demonstrates that quality seed is not merely an agricultural input but a critical driver of the government’s broader production ambitions. National targets have been set to produce 10 million metric tonnes of maize and one million metric tonnes each of soybean and wheat annually by 2031.
ZAMSEED Managing Director Leah Yondela added a timely practical note, alerting farmers to watch for an armyworm-tolerant seed variety set to be available in the coming season. As demand for certified seed rises across regions facing climate and food security pressure, Zambia is positioning itself not just as a producer but as a strategic supplier in the continental agricultural ecosystem.
