Kenya Seed allays fears of seeds shortage

By Michael Wesonga

March 9

The Kenya Seed Company (KSC) has assured farmers that there is adequate certified seed for planting this season.

The company’s Managing Director Willy Bett said they had produced seeds that exceed the current demand.

"Farmers should not worry over shortage of seeds as it happened last season. Unlike in the past when KSC produced seeds according to demand, they currently have a surplus production to avoid any crisis," Mr Bett explained.

The MD explained that a kilogram bag of maize seed goes for Sh135. A two kilogrammes bag is sold at Sh270 and 25kgs at Sh3230.

"We have made these prices public so that farmers are aware to avoid being exploited," he added.

He added that adequate measures have been put in place to cushion farmers from unscrupulous traders who take advantage of the demand of the seeds to exploit them.

"We have taken into consideration complains from farmers after they faced a crisis due the shortage of seeds and I want to assure them that all is well this season’’, said the MD.

Bett was speaking at the Eldoret ASK show on Friday.

Co-operative Development Minister Joseph Nyaga opened the five-day event. Agriculture Minister Dr Sally Kosgei and ASK Eldoret branch chairman Jack Tuwei were present.

He cautioned farmers to restrict themselves to certified seeds from the company that could be bought from accredited dealers all over the country.

"They need to be cautious since we cannot rule out unscrupulous dealers who are out to cash in on unsuspecting farmers through sale of fake seeds," Bett said.

Bett further advised them to take advantage of the company’s subsidized prices to save on costs.

The MD also stressed the need for translation of established demonstrations to replication on farms for food security.

"Desirably an acre of land should produce 40 bags of maize, in fact the company has established through demonstration it is possible to get 56 bags," he stated.

He said land sub-division was posing serious challenges in the production of seed maize, which required isolation to avoid cross-pollination.

Bett, however, said the problem was being addressed through the seed village concept where an entire village will be advised to grow a single variety of seed.

He also downplayed concerns over pressure of seed supply to the rest of the East African Countries saying the company’s policy was to satisfy local demand first to avoid compromising the food situation in the country.

Dr Kosgey has assured farmers in the North Rift of fertilizer at the National cereals and Produce Board.

She said though farmers had many unprecedented concerns owing to changing climatic patterns, the ministry was committed to addressing their plight.