About Us

Our Story

Avanos Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd. was founded in 2005 as an independent Zimbabwean seed company. Previously, from 2001 to 2004, it operated as the African office for East West Seed International. Following East West Seed’s disinvestment from Zimbabwe in 2005, Marietta van der Werff took over operations and continued the company independently, increasingly emphasizing the brand of ‘African seed for African farmers’. In 2016, the company rebranded to Avanos Seeds, proudly taking on its uniquely African identity and highlighting its core strengths in the vegetable seed industry.

Our Mission

As Avanos Seeds, our mission is to be known as the originators and reliable source of truly African, high-quality vegetable seed, which provides African farmers with the right building blocks to enhance productivity, improve food security, and build profitable agricultural businesses. Through research, development, and local seed production, we create superior varieties tailored to the needs of farmers and consumers, ensuring consistency, reliability, and enduring agricultural productivity.

Our Values

We take pride in our commitment from quality, innovation, and farmer success. Our seeds meet the highest genetic and physical standards, ensuring strong yields and productivity. We value partnerships, providing technical support, agronomic guidance, and hands-on demonstrations to help farmers maximize their potential. By keeping production local and reducing reliance on imports, we contribute to a stronger, self-sufficient agricultural sector in Zimbabwe and beyond.