Bayer Opens Zambia Maize Seed Facility for Food Security

March 21, 2025 /Mpelembe Network/ — Bayer inaugurated a new maize seed production facility in Zambia with a €32 million investment, aiming to significantly boost the supply of high-yielding seeds to Sub-Saharan African smallholder farmers. This initiative seeks to enhance food security for approximately 30 million people in the region, with seed output projected to reach up to 10 million farmers by 2030. The investment also supports Bayer’s business growth strategy in Africa and is expected to stimulate the local economy through job creation and community support programmes, including improved water access and a new health centre. This facility represents a substantial commitment by Bayer to addressing hunger and supporting agricultural development in Africa, alongside a significant business opportunity in a growing market.

Bayer’s investment in the new maize seed facility in Kabwe, Zambia, is driven by several overarching strategic goals. Primarily, Bayer aims to support food security for approximately 30 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa. This aligns with their mission statement: “Health for all, Hunger for none”. The facility is expected to produce high-yielding maize seeds that will reach 6.4 million smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2025, with a goal of reaching up to 10 million by 2030.

Secondly, the investment is a crucial component of Bayer’s growth strategy in Africa, with the aspiration of doubling the Crop Science Division’s business on the continent by 2030. The demand for Bayer’s Dekalb brand hybrids has been growing, exceeding the current supply, making this facility a key element in meeting that demand. Bayer has earmarked a further 35 million euros until 2028 for expanding its seed production network across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Furthermore, Bayer intends to support the local economy and communities in the Kabwe area. The new facility is anticipated to stimulate economic growth by creating jobs, with plans to employ 80 permanent staff and over 100 seasonal workers and contractors. Additionally, approximately 15,000 seasonal on-farm jobs will be generated through field operations and contract growers. Bayer is also undertaking community initiatives, such as improving water accessibility and storage, and funding the establishment of a new health centre in collaboration with local partners. This demonstrates Bayer’s commitment to being an active member of the communities in which it operates.

In summary, the key strategic goals driving Bayer’s investment are:

Enhancing food security in Sub-Saharan Africa by increasing the availability of high-quality, high-yielding maize seeds for smallholder farmers.

Expanding Bayer’s Crop Science business in Africa, a rapidly growing market with significant agricultural potential.

Contributing to economic growth and supporting local communities in Zambia through job creation and community development initiatives.

Bayer’s new maize seed facility in Zambia is projected to significantly increase the supply of high-yielding maize seeds to Sub-Saharan Africa. By 2030, the seed output from this facility is expected to reach and supply up to 10 million smallholder farmers across the region. This is an increase from the 6.4 million smallholder farmers the facility is projected to supply in 2025. The increased seed production capacity by 2030 is part of Bayer’s strategy to double its Crop Science Division’s business in Africa. The capacity of the facility is anticipated to support the annual maize consumption of approximately 30 million people in the region.

Bayer’s rationale for investing in maize seed production in Zambia is multifaceted, primarily driven by the desire to support food security in Sub-Saharan Africa. The newly opened facility in Kabwe aims to address the severe food insecurity that affects millions in the region. Bayer’s mission, as stated on their website, is “Health for all, Hunger for none,” and this investment is seen as a meaningful contribution towards ending hunger. The facility is projected to supply high-yielding maize seeds to 6.4 million smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2025, with the aim to reach up to 10 million by 2030. This increased capacity is expected to contribute to the annual maize consumption of approximately 30 million people in the region.

A significant aspect of Bayer’s rationale is the focus on smallholder farmers, who cultivate crops on less than 10 hectares and produce up to 70 percent of the food consumed on the continent. The investment aims to enhance their productivity by increasing the quantity and, crucially, the quality of available certified seeds, which offer higher yields and enhanced resilience to climate and disease. Alongside these improved seeds, Bayer also plans to provide stewardship and agronomic training, empowering farmers in Zambia and neighbouring countries to produce more food efficiently, thereby increasing their productivity and contributing to food security. As Debra Mallowah, Head for Bayer’s Crop Science Division in Africa, stated, “Enhanced productivity not only increases food security, but it makes a tremendous difference for the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, their families, and even their communities”. By targeting up to 10 million smallholder farmers, this investment is a significant step towards Bayer’s broader goal of reaching 21.5 million smallholders in Africa and 100 million globally by 2030.

Beyond the social impact, the investment represents a significant business opportunity for Bayer. Africa is recognised as one of the fastest-growing markets with substantial agricultural potential. The demand for Bayer’s Dekalb brand hybrids has shown considerable growth, surpassing the current supply. As such, the Zambian facility is a key component of Bayer’s growth strategy for Africa, with the aspiration of doubling the Crop Science Division’s business on the continent by 2030. To further this goal, another 35 million euros until 2028 are earmarked for the expansion of the seed production network across Sub-Saharan Africa. Maize is a staple food crop in Africa, exemplified by “nshima” in Zambia, which provides a significant portion (60 percent) of daily caloric needs, making Bayer’s expertise in maize seed breeding and production particularly relevant.

Furthermore, Bayer’s investment rationale includes supporting the economy and local communities in the Kabwe area. The new facility is expected to stimulate economic growth by creating jobs, with plans to employ 80 permanent staff members and over 100 seasonal workers and contractors at the site. Additionally, approximately 15,000 seasonal on-farm jobs will be generated through Bayer’s field operations and those of contract growers. Bayer is also committed to being an active member of the local communities, with initiatives underway to improve water accessibility and storage, and to fund the establishment of a new health centre in collaboration with local partners to serve more than 10,000 residents.

In summary, Bayer’s investment in Zambian maize seed production is driven by a combination of factors: a commitment to its mission of addressing hunger and enhancing food security in Sub-Saharan Africa, a strategic business opportunity in a growing market to expand its Crop Science division, and a dedication to supporting the local economy and communities in the region through job creation and social initiatives. As CEO Bill Anderson concluded, the new facility will “help us improve food security, empower smallholder farmers, and support communities in numerous countries on the African continent. It’s also a great business opportunity for Bayer”. This aligns with the overarching strategic goals we discussed previously, which include enhancing food security, expanding Bayer’s business in Africa, and contributing to economic growth and local communities.

Full press release is available here