Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has sounded a stern warning to individuals involved in the sale and distribution of counterfeit seeds, describing the act as a national security threat and “treasonous.”
Speaking during the official opening of a new Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) regional office and ultra-modern laboratory in Nyeri, Kagwe said fake seeds not only undermine food security but also destroy the livelihoods of hardworking farmers.
“Selling fake seeds is not just an economic crime—it’s a betrayal of our nation’s food security. We must protect our farmers from unscrupulous traders who take advantage of their efforts,” said Kagwe. “Farmers should only purchase certified seeds from KEPHIS and other authorized suppliers.”
The new KEPHIS regional centre, which will serve the wider Mt. Kenya region, features state-of-the-art testing facilities and a demonstration farm to bring agricultural services closer to farmers. The facility will enable local producers to test soil quality, verify seed authenticity, and get expert guidance on export requirements and international standards.
Kagwe emphasized that the centre would play a critical role in boosting agricultural productivity across the region, where most farms are small and fragmented. He urged farmers to adopt modern and digital farming technologies to maximize output per acre.
“The size of farms in this region may be small, but with the right technology, we can produce more per acre,” said the CS. “We must move from analogue to digital agriculture including using drones for soil testing and adopting precision farming methods.”
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He added that the facility would work closely with local institutions such as the Wambugu Agricultural Training Centre and the Kenya Agricultural College, both known for their long-standing contributions to agricultural research and training.
Kagwe noted that the laboratory’s establishment is not just a Nyeri project but a regional one that would serve farmers from across Mt. Kenya, providing a model for future agricultural innovation hubs. “This is an important day for the Mt. Kenya region. What we are about to built here is not just a facility but a foundation for future growth. Other institutions will come here to benchmark,” he said.
Senator Wamatinga lauded the government’s commitment to modernizing agriculture, saying the laboratory was part of the promised developments meant to transform the mountain region into a centre of excellence for agribusiness.
Meanwhile, local leaders raised concerns over the rising theft of livestock, coffee, and macadamia produce in the area, urging young people to engage in productive farming instead. Kagwe encouraged the youth to take advantage of government agricultural programmes and free seedlings provided to become active producers and benefit from the booming sector.
The CS further urged farmers to revive coffee production, noting that prices had significantly improved. “Coffee prices are up — I urge farmers to return to their farms and take advantage of the new opportunities,” he said.
The opening of the KEPHIS regional laboratory marks a major milestone in bringing advanced agricultural services closer to farmers in Central Kenya, aligning with the government’s goal of enhancing productivity, ensuring food safety, and growing farmers’ incomes.
By Rodgers Wagura
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