The Kenya Seed Company has assured farmers based in North Rift, Western and the whole of Kenya that they are fully prepared for the new season of planting that is around the corner come early next month.
Speaking during an interview with West Fm, the branch manager stationed at Kakamega, Mr. Abraham Mukhavi said that they have enough seeds to serve all farmers that have been faithful to the company since its inception in the country.
“We as Kenya Seed Company, are committed to give our customers top quality seeds in any planting season and ensure they get maximum yields out of their efforts in farm,” echoed Mukhuvi.
He added that most of their seeds are readily available to the market at affordable prices that any farmer can afford.
According to Ruth Chesang, who had accompanied Mr. Mukhuvi, Kenya Seed Company offers all varieties of seeds depending on the climate range in the area of specification.
“We have seeds specific for high altitude that are equivalent to the highland areas, the medium altitude and low altitude, which are areas of low land in the society,” said Chesang.
Chesang advised farmers living in high altitude areas, like Rift valley, to consider varieties of 6210H, 614H, and 6218H as they are adapted to the cold seasons that those areas are prone to.
Bungoma county and Busia county lies on the low altitude in terms of climate and therefore all farmers are advised to consider these type of seeds 517H, 516H, 513H, and the new seed introduced recently 522H, during the planting season for maximum harvest.
Kenya Seed Company offers seeds ranging from, Maize seeds, Grass, sorghum, sunflower, beans and vegetable seeds that are produced by simlaw a branch of Kenya Seed specialized in vegetables.
In terms of sorghum, Mr. Mukhuvi touched on Serena and finger millets that have been on the market for a period of time now.
They also have different type of beans ranging from Rosecoco, climbing beans, Mtamania, and Kenya safi.
Grass is also an area of concern for Kenya seed basing on the fact that many people are now opting to dairy farming as milk prices are hiking daily on the market.
They have rode grass, boma grass, pokot rode, and desmodium that are meant for increasing the level of milk production.
The Kenya seed company also have sunflower seeds that are used by farmers to feed their animals, making cooking oil and more so for crop rotation in the shamba to evade diseases that attack crops.
“We want our farmers to invest in high valued crops,like water melon, beans, cabbages, tomatoes as now days we base on the fact that KILIMO NI BIASHARA and farmers have to make that extra coin out of their soil,” said Mukhuvi.
Mrs. Chesang advised farmers to consider doing soil testing to be sure of the right fertilizer to use during the planting season.
She added that most farmers soil are acidic and there is need to change the type of fertilizer and only soil testing will help them get the right nutrients for their crops.
Spacing of 75 by 25 is a key thing for good harvest and preparation of farms at the right time.
The Kenya seed ambassadors also asked farmers to be on the lookout and avoid fake dealers who stoke seeds that are not genuine.
The seeds are packed in bags ranging from 2kg priced at Ksh. 360, while 10kg goes for Ksh. 1800 and 25kg that sales at Ksh. 4800 in all recommended dealers across the country.
