Maua: The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) has called on farmers in Meru to prioritize certified seeds and climate-smart farming practices during the ongoing short rains season, warning that continuous recycling of seed undermines yields and exposes farms to diseases. Speaking on Tuesday during a farmers' training held at Maua Methodist Social Hall in Maua town, Igembe South, KEPHIS Deputy Director for Mt. Kenya East Region, Geoffrey Malemba, emphasized the importance of timely preparations and selecting seed varieties tested and certified for the region.
According to Kenya News Agency, Malemba explained that certified seeds offer higher germination rates and resilience against emerging pests and diseases, which remain a threat under climate change. He encouraged farmers to move away from traditional seed recycling, noting that repeated reuse leads to weak crops and low productivity. "This short rain determines the food we will have on our tables next year and choosing quality seed is the foundation. When you recycle seed or buy uncertified seeds from the market, you introduce problems into your farm. We kindly urge you to invest in certified seeds and adopt climate-smart farming so that every drop of rain is taken advantage of," the officer advised the farmers.
During the training, farmers were guided on selecting the correct seed varieties suited for the short rains season, including drought-resistant crops like green beans, sorghum, cassava, and millet. The deputy director further advised farmers to take advantage of the rains to expand into tree fruit farming, particularly grafted hass avocado, a crop that has shown impressive production and growing market demand across the Mt. Kenya region. He encouraged farmers to plant only certified grafted seedlings to ensure proper yield and disease tolerance. "Alongside food crops, hass avocado is a long-term investment that can uplift households economically," Malemba said.
He further recommended that farmers use trusted suppliers like Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KARLO), which is well known for its certified products and reputation for quality. Farmers who attended the training expressed gratitude, saying that the knowledge gained has now helped them understand the importance of quality seeds and climate-smart agriculture. "We are very grateful for the training organized by KEPHIS in conjunction with the department of Agriculture. Now we have hope for better harvests and greater income for our families," one of the farmers remarked.