Bomet farmers decry shortage of drought-resistant maize variety

Maize farmers in Bomet County, are grappling with shortages of crucial seed varieties.

The varieties include H6213 and DK 777, which are preferred for their drought and disease resistance as well as high yields.

Farmers planned to plant for short seasons after previous harvests. However, it has been reported by various agrovet shops across the county, that these sought-after maize seed varieties are currently out of stock.

This scarcity has left farmers in a ‘what next’ situation, as they contemplate using local uncertified and poor-quality seeds that are ill-suited for their specific areas.

This is a threat to maize production.

Farmers emphasized the need for both short-term and long-term policies to address the persistent shortage of certain maize seed varieties.

"The Ministry of Agriculture should establish policies to tackle the perennial shortage of some varieties of maize," Martin Kipkoskei, a maize farmer from Chemaner Ward in Bomet East subcounty, said.

Some farmers have raised alarm about the presence of corrupt individuals in the market who take advantage of the maize seed shortages and exploit the gap, selling inferior seeds to unsuspecting farmers.

"When there is a scarcity of maize seeds in the market, some corrupt business people fill the gap by selling

to farmers inferior seeds which contribute to poor harvest of maize in the country," another farmer said.