By Yohane Chideya, Wilson Nkhata, Paul Asetee & Jean Claude Rubyogo
Improved seed is a recipe for achieving bigger crop yields worldwide. However, in Mozambique a country of 34 million people, this potential is not fully realized today due to inadequate seed production. Mozambique has long been trapped in a cycle of low productivity, and this challenge is particularly evident in the Angonia District of Tete Province. In this region, the effort to meet the growing demand for improved bean seed varieties has highlighted significant agricultural constraints. Bean production in Angonia is marked by limited and inconsistent use of certified seeds (17%). Moreover, a large proportion of farmers (77%) rely on saving their own seed, with just 18% planting improved bean varieties. These factors contribute to the ongoing struggle to boost agricultural productivity in the area.
However, renewed efforts from the Pan-Africa Bean research Alliance (PABRA-Africa) through the Accelerated Innovation Delivery – Initiative (AID-I) in collaboration with the SeedEqual Initiative is to boost seed production and demand through a demand-led seed systems approach – significantly recognizing the role of the private sector in all nodes of the common bean value chain. These efforts are starting to bear fruit albeit not sufficiently to meet the scale of bean seed demand in Mozambique. For instance, data from the Agricultural Research Institute of Mozambique (IIAM) shows significant progress: In 2023, 7.5 tons of pre-basic bean seed were produced, a significant increase from 0.434 tons in 2016. Furthermore, 2023 saw the production of 56.2 tons of basic bean seed, up from 4.2 tons in 2016. Over those eight years, a total of 252 tons of basic seed and 34.605 tons of pre-basic seed were produced.

Common beans play a key role in improving food security, nutrition, and income for smallholder farming households in Mozambique – Photo courtesy of Bioversity International & CIAT
Also, because household adoption of new agricultural technologies is low at about 12%, yields have remained low with smallholder farmers typically achieving average yields of 200 to 500 kilograms per hectare. This is exacerbated by their increased reliance on recycled bean seed and suboptimal agronomic practices. As a result, despite the large land area of Mozambique (80,159,000 ha), the annual national common bean grain output has remained relatively low, averaging only about 300,000 tons from an average of 8,899,655 ha over the past five years.
Amidst these challenges, a seed company has emerged to address the bean seed deficit with practical solutions. Founded in 2010 in Vanduzi District, Manica Province, Phoenix Seeds Company became the first Mozambican seed company to locally produce and register seeds for local farmers. Dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable seeds, the company specializes in certified and insured seeds for crops such as beans, sesame, and more. Thanks to strong partnerships, Phoenix Seeds has grown from humble beginnings into a sustainable business, creating jobs for farmers and contributing to poverty reduction not only in Manica but across the country. In line with this partnership-driven approach, small holder farmers are supporting and benefiting from seed production business. The case is Mariano Mariano, a seed producer from Alto Molocué, Zambezia Province, who entered a contract with Phoenix Seeds to multiply certified seeds of soybean, common bean, sesame, and pigeon pea. Mariano produces an average of 1.27 tons of common beans and, through his collaboration with Phoenix Seeds, has engaged 15 additional farmers to expand seed multiplication, collectively producing substantial quantities of seed for the market.
George Chibanda, the company’s Sales and Marketing Manager, explains that their goal is to saturate the local market with certified seed to boost the bean value chain in Mozambique. He states: “We recognized the necessity to produce basic seeds that would benefit the entire country. Our goal was to fulfil the growing demand for certified bean seed from farmers and other companies.”

Cross-section of seeds produced by Phoenix Seed Company in Mozambique – Photo courtesy of Phoenix Seeds
Need for interventions
Mozambique’s agriculture is largely driven by smallholder farmers, with 70% of the population involved. However, challenges like rain-fed subsistence farming, low mechanization, and limited access to improved practices hinder production. Natural shocks further exacerbate financial losses and poverty. Despite this, the country’s vast water resources offer potential for irrigation solutions to address these issues.
Chibanda remains optimistic, expressing the company’s commitment to expanding prebasic and basic seed production, not only for their own operations but for the entire nation. “We support several small-scale farmers with seeds and expertise on good agronomic practices, crop management, and post-harvest management. We aspire to expand these efforts,” he says.
Chibanda also emphasizes the importance of demonstration plots for farmers across the country to promote improved agronomic practices in bean farming. In Mozambique, bean varieties such as Sugar 131, Kufuna, NUA 45, Tyela, and Matica are preferred due to their superior yield potential compared to traditional varieties. These varieties are maintained at the IIAM, which collaborates with seed companies and farmers’ organizations for their multiplication and dissemination.
The Sugar 131 variety, a speckled sugar bean dominated by red color, takes about 110 days to mature and has a yield potential of approximately 2100 kilograms per hectare. “The demand for Sugar 131 beans in Mozambique is immense. We would love to produce more of this seed if we can be assisted with clean materials such as seed,” Chibanda suggests
Since 2011, Phoenix Seeds has increased its bean seed production from 56 tons to 1700 tons in 2023, with a target of surpassing 2000 tons of certified seed by the end of 2024/25 growing season. Currently, discussions are underway with Export Trading Group, a grain off-taker, for the company to produce and supply at least 400 tons of basic seed. “We look forward to establishing more trial demonstrations in more provinces to showcase improved agronomic practices and grow productivity,” Chibanda adds.
Dr. Magalhaes Miguel, a Senior Scientist at IIAM, emphasizes the importance of investing in quality seed production to boost yield. “Consumers are usually prepared to pay higher prices for high-quality produce. If the produce is of superior quality, farmers can attract high-end traders, retailers, and consumers,” writes Miguel.
Dr. Wilson Nkhata, Southern African Bean Research Network (SABRN) Coordinator, is impressed with the progress Phoenix has made. PABRA has since provided the company with NUA 45 and Sugar 131 bean seeds for multiplication. This is expected to enhance the company’s capacity to engage prominent more common bean farmers and contribute to the growth of its workforce, which currently includes 500 seasonal and permanent employees, with women comprising 70% of the staff.
Multiplicate benefits to the local economy are evident: “Phoenix has really helped me. It is giving me good money. I’m able to send my child to school and I’m eating good food after working for the company. I look forward to doing more,” says Maria Sicozao, a dedicated employee of Phoenix Seeds Company.