Farmers in Murang’a have are forced to recycle maize seeds from the harvested crop in the last season after a shortage of certified seed hit the county.
In most of the agrovet shops, the available seeds are being sold at exorbitant prices, because of the acute shortage and increased demand.
A spot check by KNA revealed that a 2-kilo packet of certified seed is currently being sold at Sh850 up from Sh500 in the last season.
Some agrovet dealers have argued they cannot meet the demand for certified seed as suppliers are taking long to deliver ordered stock.
One of the agrovet owners, Kimani Kiriigui expressed his frustration saying when he makes orders for seeds from suppliers, he receives less stock saying farmers keep on asking for maize seeds to plant before the onset of expected rains.
“We are unable to meet the demand for certified seed, as suppliers deliver much less stock than what we had ordered. This has forced some farmers to opt to plant using seeds from the yield they harvested last season,” explained Kiriigui.
In addition, Kiriigui noted that some seed companies have increased prices to almost double thus making farmers shy off from buying the seeds.
“Prices of some seeds have skyrocketed thus putting off farmers who cannot afford new prices,” stated the agrovet attendant.
Another agrovet dealer, Dominic Irungu said prices are out of reach for many farmers adding recycling seeds will lead to poor yields.
“Sh850 per two kilos of seeds is too expensive for the common mwananchi as the majority have big farms. Farmers who come to purchase seeds are expressing their dissatisfaction with the surge in prices,” Irungu said.
On his part, Jackson Mwangi expressed fears that the prices of the seeds may continue to rise due to high demand and limited supply.
Mwangi advised farmers against purchasing early maturing seeds like legumes and vegetable seeds, as they may be destroyed by the expected heavy rains.
A local farmer, John Kang’ethe said he was forced to buy a chemical to mix with seed-maize he harvested last year and plant in preparation for the rains.
Kang’ethe noted that the prices of certified seed have gone up and added that with his financial constraints, he could not afford more than 10 kilos of seeds needed to fit in his farm.
“The government needs to intervene and lower seed prices. Yes we are planting just regular seeds knowing the yields may be low but we have no option,” Kang’ethe lamented.
