- CS Mutahi Kagwe has warned against counterfeit seeds, saying they threaten farmers and food security.
- He called for tougher laws and urged farmers to buy certified seeds from recognised suppliers.
- Kenya Seed Company says seed stocks remain adequate despite drought conditions.
Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development Mutahi Kagwe has issued a stern warning against the sale of counterfeit seeds, describing the illegal trade as a major threat to Kenya’s agricultural production and food security.
Speaking during an assessment tour of Eldoret, Nandi and Trans Nzoia counties, Kagwe said farmers often discover that they have purchased fake seeds only five to six months after planting, when crop failure leaves them counting heavy losses.
The CS directed security agencies to intensify the crackdown on individuals involved in the manufacture and sale of counterfeit seeds, warning that the Government would not tolerate activities that undermine the country’s food production systems.
Kagwe also called on Members of Parliament to support legislation that would classify the sale of fake seeds as an economic crime. He argued that the practice amounts to economic sabotage because it not only causes financial losses to farmers but also threatens the country’s food supply.
The CS urged farmers to exercise caution when purchasing seeds by verifying both the seller and the source of the products. He encouraged farmers to purchase certified seeds from recognised institutions, including Kenya Seed Company and the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO).
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Kagwe commended Kenya Seed Company for ensuring the continued availability of quality seeds despite the prevailing drought, noting that access to certified seed remains a critical component of efforts to safeguard food security.
Kenya Seed Company CEO Sammy Chepsiror echoed the CS’s concerns and assured farmers that the country has adequate seed stocks despite the drought.
Chepsiror attributed part of the increase in agricultural production to the Government’s seed subsidy programme, saying the intervention had enabled more farmers to plant and contributed to efforts to strengthen food security. He revealed that commercial maize production last year reached nearly 70 million 90-kilogram bags.
According to Chepsiror, this year’s maize crop had shown even greater potential before drought conditions affected several major maize-growing regions. He expressed confidence that planned Government interventions would cushion farmers against the effects of the drought and help keep the country food secure.
Kagwe was accompanied during the tour by Nandi County Deputy Governor Dr Yulita Mitei Cheruiyot, the Chairman and CEO of the Tea Board of Kenya, and the CEO of Kenya Seed Company.
By Obegi Malack
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