Kenya - The government has stopped the exportation of maize seed from the Kenya Seed Company to neighbouring countries. The Kenya Seed Company communications manager Sammy Chepsiror said the firm has received a directive from the Ministry of Agriculture not export any maize seed.

Speaking in Kitale, Chepsiror said the move is aimed at protecting Kenyan farmers from seed shortages. He said the major maize seed shortage experienced early this year prompted the government to raise concern. He said the shortage of seeds may have been the reason behind lack of maize in the country prompting the government to import some.

"At the moment the government has stopped the selling of seeds especially maize seed to other countries as it wants to ensure Kenyan farmers have enough seed before it can consider exporting," he said. Most East and Central African countries depend on seeds from the Kenya Seed company and experts argued that the shortage witnessed early this year was as a result of a lot of exports.

Chepsiror however, assured that the company has produced enough seeds this season to cater for the needs of all Kenyan farmers in the next planting season. He said tthe company targets to produce 35 million kilogrammes of seed this season against the 40 million kilogrammes needed maize growers.

Kenya Seed Company produces 80 per cent of all the seeds in the country.Chepsiror said the 35 million kilogrammes is far much higher than the 80 per cent that the company is mandated to produce which is always equivalent to 25 million kilogrammes annually. He further urged farmers to prepare their farms early enough so that they plant on time to be able to achieve good harvests.

John Nalianya

Nairobi Star/16/11/2011