Over 3.6 million tons of maize is required annually to feed Kenya. With more than 2 million hectares (ha) of Kenya’s land under small- and large-scale maize cultivation, a majority of Kenyans depend on maize as an income-generating. To run your farm business so that it makes a profit, you must know what your bottom-line really is to know how best to manage it. You have to be able to measure your profitability to be able to manage it – to know what part(s) of your operation are really making money and what part(s) may be losing money, especially in tough times! In the past and even in the present some farmers rely on the farm saved seed for planting in the next season. This has resulted in decreased production due to characteristics such as poor germination and plant vigour. Research has shown that the main reasons attributed to this are that :- Such seeds are seldom uniform with lower Vigour, Weather prior to and during harvesting affects seed vigour, Seeds may be damaged during harvest and subsequent handling,  Seeds may be affected by pests and diseases during the growing period.

The yield of any crop at harvest time is the results of everything that happens from time of seedling to harvest.  Recently due to climate change and number of pests and diseases that were absent or rare have become important thereby affecting yield and resulting in losses to the farmers. Notably among than are Maize lethal Necrosis (MNL), Maize Streak Virus (MSV), Grey leaf spot (GLS) and more recently Smut and Fall army worms (FAW). In order to reverse the trend of reduced yields and production, the starting point should be the seed. For a crop to produce the highest possible yield under any given set of conditions the first requirement is a uniform stand of healthy seedlings. A good stand is one of the yield characteristics and a very critical one that determine the yield of a crop. To achieve this seed needs to be of outmost quality. Kenya seed is leading the way in ensuring that our seeds are of highest standards and has developed over 40 maize varieties for various agro ecological zones.  

With the realities of climate change being experienced, the company has endeavored to Research and avail varieties that are adaptable to climate vagaries of nature. The new Maize varieties that have been released to address these concern includes among others H528 (Ua Kayongo), Variety H530 and H531 (Ua Kayongo new releases) varieties to address the Striga menace in western and Nyanza region. Varieties KSDV01 and WE1101 are suitable for arid and semi arid areas and for Water deficient areas and those prone to drought. Maize Lethal Necrosis (MNL) has affected a number of farmers resulting in huge losses and to combat these menace, Kenya seed company has developed and screened varieties that have shown tolerance to MNL and have since been tested and released by the regulatory agency. The Varieties to address Maize Lethal Necrosis (MNL) include H12ML1 (H6506) and H13ML2 (H6507), HMZ1202 (H529)

As farmers prepare for the coming season it is advisable to procure your seed from registered and accredited stockist and suppliers to ensure you have the best quality seed from Kenya Seed Co. Ltd. By planting these seeds you are guaranteed of :-Good germination and Healthy seedling stand, Minimization of yield loss, good crop quality, Prevention of spread of insect and fungal infections, Control of seed borne  pest and diseases and Getting value for your money used in seed purchase