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The Kenyan government has asked the Kenya Seed Company (KSC) to review maize seed prices ahead of the long rains season.

In a formal response to KSC managing director Sammy Chepsiror, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development acknowledged receiving farmer complaints over a hike in maize seed prices.

In a letter to Chepsiror, the ministry directed KSC to retain last year's prices to cushion farmers and merchants.

"Farmers have repeatedly petitioned the government, via the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, about higher maize seed costs for the lengthy rainy planting season in 2025.

After consulting with several government agencies, the ministry orders that maize seed costs for the 2025 long rainy season be retained as per the previous year 2024," the statement read.

Under the reviewed rates, 1kg of maize seeds will retail for KSh 210, 2kg for KSh 420, 10kg for KSh 2,100, and 25kg for KSh 5,250.

The Ministry of Agriculture said the price retention decision aligns with the government's food security agenda by keeping maize seeds within farmers' reach.

The government instructed Kenya Seed Company to notify all farmers, distributors, and the public about the retained prices, which became effective on February 25, to stop dishonest seed vendors from taking advantage of them.

Kenya's long rains season begins in March until May, a crucial period for farmers nationwide.

In response to recent complaints of counterfeit seeds in the market, the government directed KSC to make sure that only authentic seeds are distributed.

To address this, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe suggested harsher punishments, including a minimum of 10 years in prison without the possibility of a fine for those found selling fake seeds.

Kenyan farmers and traders were infuriated after the KSC announced a hike in maize seed prices in November 2024.

KSC attributed the changes to market volatility and growing production expenses in a Facebook page post.

A 2kg packet of maize seeds was increased to KSh 600 from KSh 420, while a 10kg pack rose to KSh 3,000 from KSh 2,100.

In other news, the agriculture ministry set the price of a 90kg bag of maize at KSh 3,500.

The National Strategic Food Reserve stored the maize purchase from local farmers in Kenya's food baskets of Kitale, Eldoret and other areas.

However, farmers decried the low prices citing high production costs.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke