Seed companies push information to rural farmers to improve yields
A farmer inspects her maize farm in Homa Bay County.
PRESIDENT RUTO appoints 10 new High Court judges including Moses Ado, Alice Bett, Benjamin Musyoki, John Tamar, Francis Andayi, Wendy Micheni and Emily Ominde.
President Ruto appoints 20 new High Court judges
Seed companies push information to rural farmers to improve yields
Kenya has an estimated 7.5 million smallholder farmers, who account for 80 per cent of the country's total agricultural production
Seed companies have been urged to educate smallholder farmers about the need to plant quality seeds and improve food production. Kenya has an estimated 7.5 million smallholder farmers, who account for 80 per cent of the country's total agricultural production. Across East Africa, the small holder farmers account for over 75 percent of agricultural production.
“Seed quality is a cornerstone of agricultural productivity for smallholder farmers, and seed companies need to invest in research and development to create seeds tailored to local conditions,” said Bayer's Smallholder Strategy Lead for Africa Everlyn Musyoka.
She said that agronomic advice and access to innovation and technology, including improved seed varieties, have positively impacted farmers' livelihoods through improved yields.
John Kilonzo Nthenge, a smallholder farmer in Machakos, says that ensuring access to quality seeds remains essential, especially for smallholder farmers who may not have easy access to relevant knowledge and networks.
He said that this underscores the importance of partnerships with agrovets, who serve as key intermediaries in disseminating agricultural knowledge and providing essential inputs to farmers.
Mr Nthenge said that working with distribution partners accelerates access to inputs and ensures that quality seed is available to farmers in rural areas.
He added that this collaboration not only facilitates seed distribution, but also empowers farmers with knowledge and best practices for sustainable agriculture.
Mr Felix Musyoka, Manager of Makamithi Agrovet in Machakos, while highlighting the value of the partnership in transferring knowledge and providing quality products to farmers, says that these collaborations go beyond seed distribution and encompass a holistic approach to supporting smallholder farmers throughout the agricultural value chain.
