Government bans export of maize seeds

By Osinde Obare

The Government has banned the export of seed maize following serious shortages experienced in the country last year.

Kenya Seed Company (KSC) confirmed that they had received directives from the Government not to sell the commodity outside the country.

The firm’s Public Relations Manager Simon Chepsiror however said all necessary measures has been deployed to ensure there is adequate seeds maize for next year’s planting seasons.

‘The government has banned the export of seed maize and as the

custodian of the country’s seed we have adhered to that as we want to ensure out farmers are adequately served," said Mr Chepsiror.

The official disclosed that the company expects to harvest 35 million kilograms of seed maize from its own farms and contracted growers this year.

To increase production, Chepsiror said the company leased enough land for seed growing and engaged several growers to be able to meet the local requirement.

Speaking at Kitale Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK), Chepsiror assured farmers that the firm is committed to avail enough certified seeds to meet their demands.

He allayed fears that the company has plans to increases the prices of seed owing to increased cost of production and inputs.

Urging farmers to diversify farming, Chepsiror announced the

availability of various seeds of traditional crops to boast food security.

Farmers were let down last year due to shortages of favourite seed hybrids to which KSC admitted put the shortfall at 20 per cent.

KSC Managing Director Willy Bett attributed last year’s

shortages on bad weather that reduced production. But on Monday, Chepsiror asked farmers to employ and embrace modern farming techniques to enhance food production.

Meanwhile, North Rift National Agricultural Shows opens its doors on Wednesday according to the branch chairman David Sitienei.