As the long rains planting season approach, farmers across the country have been asked to be on the lookout for fake seeds.
Kenya Seed Company Board Chair, Purity Ngirici, said it is at such a time when the demand for seeds is on the rise that unscrupulous traders flood the market with counterfeit seeds and other inputs.
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“It is during such planting season like now that unscrupulous traders take advantage of the high demand for planting seeds to defraud famers through distribution of sub-standard seeds,” she said.
Speaking on Saturday at the Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) Embu show in Njukiri Grounds, Ngirici said use of fake seeds eventually results in poor yields thus posing a big threat to food security.
She called on farmers to be wary of the quality of seeds they purchase by ensuring they do so from certified stockists and distributors.
The Board Chair who is also former Kirinyaga Woman Rep said as a government agency, they had embarked on a campaign of sensitizing famers on how to detect fake seeks.
“We are committed to supporting agricultural sector in the country not only with provision of certified seeds, but also production of species suited for various ecological zones,” she said.
Simlaw Seeds Company which is a subsidiary of Kenya Seeds Company General Manager David Kiplagat, said they had enough stocks of seeds across their various distribution centers countrywide.
He also urged farmers to purchase recommended varieties for their particular areas to be assured of optimal yields.
“As a company, we place more emphasis on research to ensure our products are of high quality to guarantee our farmers good harvest,” he said.
Embu County Deputy Governor Kinyua Mugo assured farmers that planting fertilizer will be available on time.
“We have been assured by the National Government that fertilizer will be arriving at our NCBP depot in a fortnight,” he said, adding that plans will be made for the last mile delivery to farmers.
BY KNA