Agriculture County Executive Mr. Edward Sawe on Thursday engaged representatives from the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) to foster a collaborative effort aimed at combating the persistent issues of counterfeit seeds and agrochemicals.

The purpose of the meeting was to seek ways of addressing the need for farmer training programs to help identify genuine and clean seeds

Being tasked with ensuring the quality of agricultural inputs and produce to safeguard the economy, environment, and human health, KEPHIS plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity of the agricultural sector.

Recognizing the gravity of the issue at hand, CECM Sawe and his team initiated the discussion with KEPHIS, emphasizing the importance of concerted actions to combat counterfeit seeds and agrochemicals.

During the discussion, the County Executive Committee Member highlighted the common concerns related to post-harvest issues in the agricultural sector further emphasizing the significance of providing adequate training to address these concerns effectively.

The CECM stated, “Farmers often express their dissatisfaction with low crop yields and suspect that the quality of the seeds they used was substandard.”

To tackle this lingering issue, the collaborative efforts between KEPHIS and the county government will prioritize the provision of training sessions and initiatives that promote the sharing of knowledge among farmers.

“By enhancing farmers’ skills and understanding, the aim is to equip them with the necessary expertise to improve crop yields and overcome challenges related to seed quality,” said Sawe.

The meeting which was also attended by Chief Officer for Agriculture, Mr. Elphas Kesio served as a platform to express appreciation for the collaboration between the County Government of Uasin Gishu and KEPHIS, having both parties acknowledging the positive impact that such an alliance would have on the agricultural sector in the region.

The Chief Officer mentioned that Chebororwa ATC has been earmarked to become a registered seed merchant noting that this initiative aims to provide a viable solution to some of the challenges faced in the industry.

Hon. Joseph M’eruaki, Chairman of KEPHIS, along with Managing Director Prof. Theophilus M. Mutui, led a team from KEPHIS to emphasize the importance of collaborative efforts in benefitting farmers.