By Antony Gitonga
Kenya: The Ministry of Agriculture has now banned importation of maize seeds to deal with viral disease that has wreaked havoc in parts of the country.
With fears that the country’s maize production could be affected, the State has adopted stringent measures to address the problem.
Under the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), all maize seed imports will now be tested before entering the country.
According to KEPHIS MD James Onsondo, all seed companies have been directed to comply with the new directive.
“We have banned maize seed imports in a bid to address the viral diseases and any imports have to be tested before they are allowed into the country,” he said.
Other measures include seed dressing with insecticide for 28 days to protect them from the virus.
He admitted that the disease was very aggressive, adding that they had introduced plant breeding as part of mitigation measures.
“We are seeking a tolerant maize variety which might take time to produce as we address this viral disease,” Onsondo said.
He said that the disease which was first detected in Bomet had spread to neighbouring countries of Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda.
Onsondo revealed that the Government had placed quarantine in areas of Bomet, Trans-Mara and Borambu where the disease was first detected.
