North Rift farmers utilize ASK show to purchase certified seeds

BY MICHAEL OLLINGA

Eldoret, Kenya: Farmers in the North Rift region flocked the annual Eldoret Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) show to witness new farming technologies are utilizing the event to purchase improved seed varieties .

Since the official opening of the exhibition on Wednesday, the Kenya Seed Company (KSC) sales store has been experiencing long queues with farmers from the larger North Rift eager to purchase seeds directly from the company.

The farmers have been complaining that seeds they purchase from authorized dealers and depots had been adulterated and repackaged by unscrupulous traders and ended up producing poor yields.

Julius Sum, a farmer from Uasin Gishu County, purchased over 100 kilogrammes of species 6213 from KSC.

He said he waited for the Eldoret show to purchase the seeds direct from the company because they are genuine unlike those in stores.

“I have for a very long time encountered poor yields from my maize farms, at times I was forced to gap the seedlings which had registered a very low germination rate thus high costs,” he said.

“However, last planting season I was advised by a friend to purchase the seeds directly from the company at the show and they germinated superbly that is why I am here to get more for this year’s planting  season,” he added.