Farmers face shortage of maize seeds ahead of planting season

By Mark Kapchanga

Kenya: The better part of Kenya is expected to start receiving seasonal rainfall next week, amid allegations that the country could be facing a maize seed shortage.

Meteorological Services forecast counties in the Lake Basin and the highlands west of Rift Valley will experience downpours in the second and third week of this month while Southern and Central Rift Valley are expected to receive rainfall in the third and fourth week.

In a Press statement Monday, Met Services acting Director James Kongoti called on farmers in Western, Nyanza, Rift Valley and Central Highlands to “take advantage and maximise crop production through appropriate land use management” on the back of the anticipated “above-normal” rainfall.

But farmers in these agriculturally rich regions say they are facing difficulties accessing maize seeds at Kenya Seed. John Chirchir, a maize farmer in Cherangany, told The Standard that he spent over two days in a queue to get the seeds in Kitale, yet he didn’t even get the amount he had anticipated.

Kenya Seed usually sells inputs to farmers through agents, stockists and its branches countrywide and main shop at its Kitale headquarters. Critics say there is a danger farmers may opt for low-quality seeds, a move that could harm the Government’s quest for a food-secure nation.

“We may have to focus on other profitable crops like sugarcane if maize cultivation is this painful a venture,” said Mr Chirchir.

 Entire country

However, Kenya Seed Company Head of Corporate Communications Sammy Chepsiror says there is enough maize seed to serve the entire country.

“This is high-demand season for maize seeds. But we have all the varieties to fit different ecological areas,” said Mr Chepsiror.

He said it was only H6218, a new maize variety, that was in short supply. “We introduced it in the market last year, and it has proved a darling among farmers. We are now preparing to produce it in bulk to meet market demand,” he added.

Kenya Seed says despite the huge demand, maize seed prices will remain the same as last year due to the Government subsidy. A 2kg bag retails at Sh300, 10kg at Sh1,500 and 25kg at Sh3,750.

Trans Nzoia Kenya National Federation of Agricultural Producers chairman Tom Nyagechanga says maize farmers in the region have for a long time not been satisfied with the low maize prices and the high cost of inputs.

“If the Government is concerned about food security in the country, it should raise the maize purchasing prices. It should even start contracting farmers to plant maize, the way seed companies and sugar factories do,” Mr Nyagechanga stated.

Short rains harvest

Available national maize stocks are likely to be sufficient through June or thereafter, depending on the total size of the short rains harvest.

US Agency for International Development’s Famine Early Warning Systems Network, however, says most households will afford minimal food requirements but not essential non-food items like medicine, fuel, transport and clothing.

“Between March and June, maize prices are expected to increase gradually. Households may face increasing difficulty accessing food as the prices rise and their stocks of legumes and other non-maize crops from the short rains dwindle,” it said in a report.