New seed variety to help fight food shortage

A new maize seed variety has been introduced in Kenya, which experts say would shield the country from perennial food shortages in the long-run.

Known as WE1101, the new variety is not only drought tolerant but also high-producing and can resist lethal attacks from pests and diseases. Now in its third planting season in Kenya, WE1101 takes three months to mature, making it ideal for Western, Rift Valley, Nyanza and Central regions where rainfall patterns have “drastically” changed.