Kisii — Bayer East Africa has urged farmers nationwide to avoid purchasing counterfeit seeds this planting season, warning that uncertified seeds undermine food security and threaten livelihoods.
Speaking during a pick-up promotion campaign in Kisii, Bayer East Africa Managing Director John Kanyinke said fake seeds have led to poor harvests, crop failure, and financial losses for thousands of smallholder farmers.
He emphasized that the campaign aims to protect farmers, improve yields, and stabilize food supply.
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“We are telling our farmers to purchase seeds only from licensed agro-dealers and verify packaging details, including KEPHIS certification labels,” Kanyinke said. Certified seeds, he added, significantly boost productivity in maize, beans, and horticultural crops–key staples in Kenya’s food basket.
The campaign aligns with government efforts to strengthen food systems, reduce import reliance, and cushion households from rising food prices.
KEPHIS has intensified market surveillance, enforcement, and farmer education ahead of the long rains planting season.
Farmers welcomed the initiative. Catherine Kemunto, a farmer from Bobasi, recounted how certified DK maize varieties transformed her yields from barely ten bags to up to 40 sacks, improving household income and enabling her to pay school fees. She now trains fellow farmers on proper seed use and farming practices.
Similarly, Peter Nyabuto, also from Bobasi, shared the negative impact of buying seeds from unverified dealers, which led to uneven germination and poor harvests.
Kanyinke reiterated that access to certified seeds is critical to Kenya’s food security goals and called on farmers to remain vigilant against counterfeit agricultural inputs.