Bayer Launches Cutting-Edge Maize Seed Facility to Transform African Food Security

With its Itaba maize seed facility in Zambia, Bayer supports food security in Sub-Saharan Africa.

(IN BRIEF) Bayer has opened a new maize seed facility in Kabwe, Zambia, with a 32-million-euro investment that triples its current production capacity. The facility, part of Bayer’s growth strategy in Africa, is expected to provide high-yielding maize seeds to 6.4 million smallholder farmers in 2025, and up to 10 million by 2030, ultimately supporting the food consumption needs of around 30 million people annually. The initiative is designed to combat food insecurity by equipping farmers with seeds that offer enhanced yield, climate resilience, and disease resistance, while also delivering agronomic training and stewardship. Moreover, the project promises substantial local economic benefits through job creation—80 permanent jobs, over 100 seasonal roles, and an additional 15,000 on-farm positions—as well as community development measures such as improved water infrastructure and the establishment of a new health center. This facility is Bayer’s second largest private investment in Zambia by a German company, and it reinforces the company’s ambition to double its Crop Science Division’s business in Africa by 2030, while also advancing food security and sustainable development across Sub-Saharan Africa.

(PRESS RELEASE) KABWE, Zambia, 19-Mar-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Bayer (ETR: BAYN), a global enterprise with core competencies in the Life Science fields of health care and agriculture, has inaugurated a state-of-the-art maize seed facility in Kabwe, Zambia, marking a major milestone in its efforts to bolster food security across Sub-Saharan Africa. This 32-million-euro investment significantly expands Bayer’s capacity to produce high-quality maize seeds, tripling its output in the region by 2025. The new facility is designed to support approximately 6.4 million smallholder farmers this year, with projections to reach up to 10 million by 2030—helping to feed around 30 million people annually. As the second largest private investment by a German company in Zambia, the project not only enhances Bayer’s strategic growth in Africa but also plays a vital role in strengthening local economies through job creation and community development initiatives.

Bayer’s Itaba maize seed facility is set to become a cornerstone for improved agricultural productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa. By providing high-yielding maize seeds that are resilient to climate challenges and diseases, the facility aims to empower smallholder farmers, who typically cultivate less than 10 hectares, and are responsible for up to 70% of the continent’s food production. Alongside its robust seed production, Bayer is committed to offering agronomic training and stewardship, ensuring that farmers can maximize yields and improve their livelihoods.

“Millions in Sub-Saharan Africa face severe food insecurity, and ending hunger is at the heart of our mission at Bayer,” stated Chief Executive Officer Bill Anderson, who opened the facility alongside His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema, President of Zambia. “With this new site, we are not only increasing our production capacity but also creating significant business opportunities and social benefits for the region.”

In addition to boosting agricultural output, the facility is poised to create considerable economic impact in the Kabwe area. Bayer plans to employ 80 permanent staff along with over 100 seasonal workers and contractors, while its field operations will generate roughly 15,000 seasonal on-farm jobs through partnerships with contract growers. Beyond employment, Bayer is investing in the local community by upgrading water infrastructure—a revived borehole, new storage tanks, and improved piping will provide enhanced water accessibility for the neighborhood. Moreover, in collaboration with Zambia’s Ministry of Health, the Municipality of Kabwe, Project Concern Zambia, and local residents, Bayer is funding the construction of a new health center to serve more than 10,000 people, including its employees and their families.

With plans to further invest 35 million euros until 2028 to expand its seed production network across Sub-Saharan Africa, Bayer’s commitment to sustainable growth and food security is clear. The new facility not only supports the company’s ambition to double the Crop Science Division’s business in Africa by 2030 but also underscores its role in empowering smallholder farmers and fostering community development across the continent.

Images of the site can be downloaded here.

About Bayer
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. In line with its mission, “Health for all, Hunger for none,” the company’s products and services are designed to help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2024, the Group employed around 93,000 people and had sales of 46.6 billion euros. R&D expenses amounted to 6.2 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer’s public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

Media contact:

Alexander Gutmann, +49 174 730 6349
Email: alexander.gutmann@bayer.com

Liza Bohlmann, +27 72 209 3584
Email: liza.bohlmann@bayer.com

SOURCE: Bayer AG