As farmers prepare for the new planting season, the government has assured them of enough seeds and fertiliser to facilitate efficient planting and productivity.
Speaking in Kisumu, the Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, revealed that the government has empowered the Kenya Seed Company to meet its maize seed production targets following a surge in demand for the seeds from farmers ahead of the planting season.
The PS revealed that the government is also putting stringent measures in place to ensure that farmers do not purchase fake seeds that have become prevalent.
“Fake seed is a threat to food security, the moment fake seeds leak to the market, especially from unscrupulous businessmen, the farmer will not differentiate the fake seed from the real one,” the CS pointed out.
Head of Public Service Felix Koskei speaking during a meeting with Principal Secretaries and Accounting Officers on January 10, 2024.
Photo
Felix Koskei
Koskei has also revealed that to ensure increased productivity in maize, it will increase the fertiliser needed.
According to Koskei, 70 per cent of the fertiliser required for the new planting season has been procured.
“15 million kilos have been processed and are ready to be dispatched, we have another 13 million kilos that are under process. In the second season, we are anticipating to get about 8 million kilos, and in total, we are going to have 36 million kilos,” Koskei revealed.
To ensure increased productivity, the PS revealed that the Kenya Seed Company is working on an expansion strategy to acquire more land for production and ensure food security.
“We are supporting them in every way to get more affordable land to lease. With all these efforts, it is expected naturally for the prices to stabilize,” the PS promised.
To caution maize farmers from the menace of fake seeds, the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) is under strict instructions to ensure that all seeds coming into the country are certified and legitimate.
These moves come after the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service called for more stringent laws to punish those found with counterfeit seeds.
The country has been facing an alarming rise in fake seeds, undermining agricultural productivity and food security.
A maize plantation in Kiamunyi area of Rongai Constituency in Nakuru County. PHOTO/ @muhiasmaina