Bayer East Africa campaign promotes certified seeds amid climate concerns

The campaign engaged farmers on the benefits of certified seeds and offered prizes including knapsack sprayers, smartphones, motorbikes and planters to participants.

Speaking during the ceremony, Bayer East Africa Managing Director John Kanyingi said the use of certified seeds is becoming increasingly important as farmers face the effects of climate change and erratic weather patterns.

“Smallholder farmers remain central to the country’s food security, and supporting them with quality certified seeds can help improve productivity and resilience,” he said.

Kenya’s agricultural sector continues to face challenges linked to changing rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts and extreme weather events, which have affected crop production in many parts of the country. Smallholder farmers are among the hardest hit due to their heavy reliance on predictable weather conditions.

Kanyingi noted that Bayer’s DEKALB maize hybrid varieties are developed for different ecological zones, including low-rainfall areas and high-potential farming regions, with the aim of helping farmers achieve stable harvests despite changing climatic conditions.

Everlyn Musyoka said the campaign also provided an opportunity for the company to engage directly with farmers and better understand their needs.

She said promoting certified seeds can help farmers improve yields while supporting sustainable agricultural production.

The campaign forms part of Bayer East Africa’s broader efforts to support farmers with improved seed varieties and other agricultural inputs aimed at enhancing food production in the country.