Koskei announces release of 87 new seed varieties of superior crops to boost food security

Kenya: Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei has announced the introduction of 87 new seed varieties of different crops.

The crops, which were developed to address current challenges including disease and drought are superior varieties of maize, wheat, potatoes, sugarcane, cowpeas, beans, rice, soya beans, simsim, barley, sorghum, sweet potato, chicken pea and pigeon pea. They were released following successful tests undertaken by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (Kephis).

Addressing agricultural stakeholders and farmers at a field day in Kilibwoni, Nandi County, the CS revealed that the release of the new crop varieties were informed by the need to adapt to climatic challenges, over dependence on rain-fed agriculture and declining soil fertility.

“There is need to inject new and superior crop varieties into our commercial and subsistence agriculture. Farmers are currently experiencing challenges in terms of crop production, diseases and prolonged drought patterns,” said Koskei.

The CS further assured farmers that the crops had great potential in improving food production, noting that they included drought tolerant varieties, which were developed to suit low rainfall prone areas.

Koskei further revealed that the just released maize variety dubbed WE 1101 had shown tolerance to the maize lethal necrosis disease (MLND), which has caused huge losses to farmers in parts of the North Rift. “Another four maize varieties tolerant to MLND are currently undergoing evaluation in the lab and will be released officially in the next one year,” said Koskei.

He further revealed a significant increase in the number of registered seed companies, which he said had occasioned the need for Kephis to conduct evaluation and certification of individual company seeds.

The CS was accompanied by Dr Esther Kimani (acting Managing Director of Kephis) and Nandi Senator Stephen arap Sang among others.