Mukushi Seeds

Plant breeding activities in index regions/variety testing
Mukushi Seeds has its own breeding programme in Zimbabwe and also undertakes collaborative research activities with both public and private institutions in the index region. The company develops improved varieties of maize with a number of traits that are particularly important for smallholder farmers. This includes improved nutritional value, as well as developing early maturing and drought tolerant varieties. The company also conducts variety testing on its maize varieties in Zimbabwe, and focuses on incorporating resistance/tolerance to regionally important pests and diseases such as maize streak virus (MSV).

No leading practices were identified for the company in the governance and strategy measurement area.

The company provides limited insight into its position and activities related to genetic resources and intellectual property management. As it is important that seed companies contribute to genetic resources and intellectual property management that supports smallholder agriculture, the company could provide more insights into its activities for others to learn from.

Local participation in breeding/variety development
The company could improve its performance in the measurement area by disclosing how it informs its breeding programme with feedback from local consumers, traders and smallholder farmers, including women farmers.

Seed production activities in index region
Mukushi Seeds has seed production locations in Zimbabwe, where it involves local players such as smallholder farmers. However, the company has an opportunity to extend its seed production activities to other index countries in the region.

Engaging smallholder farmers in seed production
The company involves smallholder farmers in its seed production activities, for instance in its Silver Leaf Desmodium production fields, but it could disclose whether it offers these farmers formal contracts.

Social and labour rights in seed production
The company does not disclose a policy committing to prohibit child and forced labour nor does it disclose a commitment to respect the health and safety of workers, either when seed production is carried out by the company itself or through an intermediary. Furthermore, the company does not disclose whether it pays its workers a living wage or requires its intermediaries to do so.

Diverse portfolio
As the company has only a few varieties for the majority of crops in its portfolio in Zimbabwe, it could diversify its portfolio by offering more varieties per crop.

Quality assurance and after-sales
The company can disclose its protocols for quality assurance, monitoring its distribution network, ensuring that seeds are not sold beyond their shelf-life, preventing the distribution of counterfeit seeds and providing after-sales support programmes.

Extension services
The company provides agronomic services to farmers in Zimbabwe. However, the company has the opportunity to track the number of smallholder farmers reached in the region and disclose further information  on what the extension service programmes entail.

Programmes for women farmers and next-generation farmers
The company provides extension services in the region but can expand its programmes to target women and next-generation farmers.

Beans, dry
Cowpea
Groundnut
Maize
Millets
Sorghum

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