KERICHO, Kenya, Jan 16 — The government has activated a multi-pronged approach to support Kenya’s efforts to attain self-reliance on food as Kilimo House unveiled more grain dryers in the South Rift region on Tuesday.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi also unveiled disease-resistant seeds aimed at boosting farmers’ yields even as he announced a campaign to combat necrosis in maize.
Speaking at the National Cereals and Produce Board grounds in Bomet County during the launch of the Kenya Seed Company Depot in the area, Linturi said farmers in the South Rift region can now access quality seeds that are resistant to diseases.
The Cabinet Secretary said his Ministry is actively collaborating with stakeholders in the maize sub-sector to address challenges hindering optimal crop production including initiatives to combat the deadly Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease (MLND).
He also added that the main challenges facing maize farmers in the region include; diseases like MLND, high post-harvest losses due to limited drying facilities, and limited access to quality certified maize seeds.
“The inauguration of the Kenya Seed Company Depot in Bomet County is an initiative aimed at combating fake seeds, improve access to agronomic technologies, mitigate MLND threats, and reduce the distance farmers need to travel for farm inputs in Bomet and neighboring counties of Narok, Kisii, and Kericho,” added the CS.
Linturi also flagged off four mobile maize dryers with a capacity of ten to fourteen tons to tackle post-harvest losses in Bomet, Narok and neighbouring Counties.
“The mobile maize dryers will be used by farmers in the larger South Rift region at the NCPB depots. We have already procured 100 mobile grain dryers with. Currently, forty three dryers have been delivered and distributed to various NCPB Depots,” he said.
Seed inspectors
He further stated that his Ministry will increase the number of seed inspectors to enhance surveillance in maize seed farms and agro vet shops nationwide to remove fake seeds from agro vet outlets and tackle maize diseases.
Bomet Governor Dr. Hillary Barchok who also graced the event welcomed the opening of the Kenya Seed Company Depot facility in the area terming it a big boost for farmers in the region.
“Bomet is known for maize farming, unfortunately for the last 13 years we have been supplied with fake seeds but with this new development, we are now guaranteed quality seeds and improved production,” said Barchok.
The Principal Secretary State Department of Crop Development Dr. Paul Rono who was also present warned middle men who sell fake seeds to farmers adding that the Ministry will improve surveillance to curb the incidents.
“Anyone selling fake seeds must be ready to face a fine of Ksh 1 million or face six months imprisonment or both. Our farmers deserve quality inputs to enable them to succeed,” added the PS.
The event was also attended by Kenya Seed Company MD Sammy Kiplagat Chepsiror, Bomet County Commissioner Dr Ahmed Omari, local MPs and MCAs, officials from national and county levels of government.
