Zimbabwe to Host National Seed Summit to Strengthen Seed Systems and Accelerate Agricultural Transformation
The Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development MAMWRD), in partnership with the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT), will convene the National Seed Business Summit and Seed Roadmap Workshop from 19–21 May 2026 at Cresta Lodge, Msasa, Harare.
Holding under the theme “Strengthening Seed Systems for Agricultural Transformation,” the Summit will bring together policymakers, researchers, seed companies, development partners, financial institutions, farmer organisations, youth and women-led groups, and regional agricultural experts to develop a comprehensive 5-year Seed Roadmap and Investment Plan for Zimbabwe.
The Summit aligns with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030, the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), the Agriculture, Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy 2 (AFSRTS 2), and the Dakar II Zimbabwe Food and Agriculture Delivery Compact.
The event comes at a critical time as African countries intensify efforts to strengthen food security, climate resilience, and agricultural productivity amid climate change, global economic shocks, and supply chain disruptions.
Zimbabwe’s seed sector ranks among the strongest in Africa according to the African Union Seed Sector Performance Index (SSPI), with major strengths in private sector participation, seed production, variety development, and certification systems. However, challenges such as climate variability, counterfeit seed, weak rural infrastructure, and limited farmer access to certified seed continue to affect productivity across key value chains.
The Summit will focus on priority commodities critical to Zimbabwe’s food security and agricultural economy, including Maize, Wheat, Sorghum, Pearl and Finger millet, Soybean, Groundnut and Common beans.
The three-day engagement will feature technical presentations on Zimbabwe’s seed sector; lessons and innovations from TAAT Compacts; stakeholder consultations and policy dialogue; commodity-based working groups; development of a national seed roadmap and investment framework; and investment advocacy and partnership mobilisation.
The Summit will also showcase TAAT’s continental impact in strengthening African seed systems under the leadership of the African Development Bank Group. Through the African Emergency Food Production Facility, TAAT and its partners supported millions of farmers across Africa with improved seeds, technologies, fertilisers, and climate-smart agricultural interventions.
Expected outcomes of the Summit include the development of a nationally owned Seed Roadmap and Investment Plan; increased awareness of the importance of resilient seed systems; enhanced investment mobilisation for priority value chains; and strengthened partnerships among government, the private sector, research institutions, and development partners.
The Summit is expected to attract participants from Zimbabwe and across Africa, including representatives from CGIAR centres, the private seed industry, farmer organisations, development agencies, financial institutions, and international agricultural research organisations.
Event Details
Event: National Seed Business Summit and Seed Roadmap Workshop
Theme: Strengthening Seed Systems for Agricultural Transformation
Date: 19–21 May 2026
Venue: Cresta Lodge, Msasa, Harare, Zimbabwe
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