The government has been urged to make greater investment in quality agricultural inputs to improve crop yields and strengthen food security.
The call came during a three-month campaign that brought together farmers, seed companies and regulators in a drive to educate farmers on the importance of using certified seeds and how to identify counterfeit products in the market.
During the campaign, farmers participated in awareness activities and had a chance to win prizes including knapsack sprayers, smartphones, motorbikes and planters to support modern farming practices.
Bayer East Africa MD John Kanyingi said the initiative was aimed at helping farmers improve productivity amid increasing climate-related challenges.
“Today, we celebrate not only the winners but also the commitment of our farmers to adopt practices that enhance productivity. There is no food security in this country without smallholder farmers, and by encouraging the use of certified seeds, we can help them achieve better yields and contribute to national food security,” he said.
Kenya’s agriculture sector remains heavily dependent on rain-fed farming, making smallholder farmers highly vulnerable to changing weather patterns of prolonged droughts and extreme rainfall.
According to the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), certified seeds are critical in ensuring high germination rates, improved yields and resistance to pests and diseases. The agency says quality seeds are essential in minimising crop failure and improving farm returns.
However, the increasing circulation of counterfeit seeds continues to undermine agricultural productivity across the country.
Recent crackdowns by KEPHIS and law enforcement agencies have exposed the scale of the problem. In Nakuru County, authorities confiscated 13,000 packets of fake maize seeds worth Sh13 million during a raid targeting counterfeit farm inputs.
In Kisii and Nyamira counties, KEPHIS officials arrested traders found selling uncertified seeds, warning that fake seeds are contributing significantly to poor yields among farmers.
Kanyingi said one of the key objectives of the campaign was to help farmers distinguish between genuine and counterfeit seeds.
“Most counterfeiters are good at making products that resemble original brands, and many farmers are unable to identify the difference,” he said.
He noted that Bayer is working closely with KEPHIS and other partners to train farmers on how to verify certified seeds and avoid losses caused by fake products.
KEPHIS has in recent years intensified farmer sensitization campaigns across the country to combat counterfeit seeds and promote the use of certified planting materials.
Farmers are now encouraged to check for official KEPHIS certification labels and verify seed authenticity through a free SMS verification system before purchasing seeds.
Kanyingi further said changing climate conditions have forced seed companies to invest heavily in research to develop drought-tolerant and early-maturing seed varieties that can withstand erratic rainfall and emerging pest and disease pressures.
“We are experiencing shorter rainy seasons, heavier downpours and higher temperatures than normal. This forces us to continuously adapt our technologies and develop hybrids suited to these changing weather patterns,” he said.
He added that researchers are developing seed varieties that require less rainfall while also improving tolerance to pests and diseases that have become more prevalent due to climate change.
Everlyn Musyoka, Strategy Lead for Africa Smallholder Business, said the campaign also focused on ensuring farmers access genuine agricultural inputs through trusted distribution channels.
“About 80 percent of food produced in Africa comes from smallholder farmers, meaning discussions around food security cannot happen without putting farmers at the centre,” she said.
Musyoka said improving access to certified seeds, fertilizers, soil testing services, agronomy advice, financing and reliable markets is critical in making agriculture profitable, especially for young people.
“If farmers have the right seed, the right fertilizer, proper agronomy advice and access to markets, agriculture becomes a profitable business,” she said.
She added that addressing gaps across the agricultural value chain is necessary to improve productivity and protect farmers from exploitation by middlemen.
