Officials from the Kenya Seed Company’s Nakuru branch recently engaged in a courtesy call meeting with Agriculture Chief Executive Committee Member (CECM) Leonard Bor in a bid to address the issue of counterfeit seeds undermining agricultural productivity. The pivotal discussion aimed at exploring collaborative strategies to empower farmers, ensuring improved harvests through the use of quality and certified seeds.
Counterfeit seeds have emerged as a primary obstacle to robust harvests and sustainable crop production, consequently driving up the cost of living through increased reliance on food imports. CECM Leonard Bor, in acknowledging this challenge, emphasized the need for concerted efforts to combat the use of fake seeds among farmers.
During the meeting, it was revealed that a significant number of farmers resort to counterfeit seeds primarily due to limited access to quality and certified alternatives, compounded by a lack of essential information. To tackle this issue head-on, Nakuru County and the Kenya Seed Company are set to forge a partnership aimed at providing training and organizing farmer’s field days. These initiatives seek to educate farmers on the importance of using genuine, certified seeds for enhanced agricultural productivity.
Kenya Seed Company, boasting an extensive portfolio of over 60 certified seed varieties tailored to diverse agroecological zones, stands at the forefront of the battle against counterfeit seeds. The company’s commitment to ensuring seed quality and security is evident in its control of over 80% of the seed maize market in Kenya.
As the collaboration between Nakuru County and Kenya Seed Company unfolds, the joint efforts are poised to bring about a positive transformation in the agricultural landscape. By empowering farmers with knowledge, access to certified seeds, and promoting best practices, the partnership aims to mitigate the adverse impact of counterfeit seeds, ultimately paving the way for increased crop production, improved livelihoods, and reduced dependence on food imports. Together, they embark on a journey to sow the seeds of a more resilient and prosperous agricultural future for Nakuru County.
