Farmers in the Rift Valley have flooded Kenya Seed Company and fertiliser depots as heavy rains pounded the region signaling start of the planting season.
There were queues at the KSC depots in Eldoret, Kitale, Kapsabet and Mosoriot among other areas as farmers said they were preparing to plant maize.
Small-scale farmers’ spokesperson David Kiberenge said many were buying seeds from KSC because dealers’ prices were high.
This is because the company had earlier increased prices but later withdrew following a government intervention.
“We are happy that KSC reduced the prices and we hope the market will respond to the same even though some dealers had already bought the seeds at the earlier high prices,” Kiberenge said.
KSC withdrew the price increase for maize seeds following a directive from the Ministry of Agriculture.
The seed company had raised the maize seed prices by over 30 per cent, sparking protests from farmers who have been pushing the state to withdraw the new prices as they would affect the cost of production.
Kiberenge and Kipkorir Menjo welcomed the move by the government to review the seed prices, making them more affordable for farmers.
Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Ronoh, in a letter addressed to the Kenya Seed Company managing director Sammy Chepsiror, said the move followed requests from farmers concerning the increased prices.
“Upon consultation with your institution and other organs of the government and taking into consideration the government plan on food security, the ministry is directing that the prices for maize seeds, for 2025 long rain, be retained as per previous 2024,” the letter dated February 25, reads.
In the Kenya Seed changes that had been in place for over three months, a two kilogramme packet of seed which was last year going for Sh420 was being sold at Sh600.
Farmers were initially buying a 10kg bag at Sh2,100 but had to part with Sh3,000 for the same quantity after the price increase.
A 25kg bag which was initially go- ing for Sh5,250 shot up to Sh7,500. Following the directive by the PS the prices were reverted.
A kilogramme now goes for Sh210 while two kilos go for Sh420. A 10kg will retail at Sh2,100 while 25kg goes for Sh5,250.
“Ensure that appropriate measures are put in place to disseminate the communication in good time to seed producers, distributors and the public,” he said.
Ronoh said the decision aims to ease the financial burden on agricultural producers and ensure increased access to quality seeds for improved crop yields.
The reduction is expected to boost maize production, enhance food security and support the livelihoods of farmers across the country.
The move by the ministry, Ronoh
added, is aimed at ensuring the seed
programme is not affected by the
high cost of production and other
related costs.
