Farmers buy maize seeds from the Kenya Seed Company in Eldoret. Farmers in the North Rift have been warned of fake seed in circulation ahead of the next planting season. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP 
The Kenya Seed Company has cautioned Kenyans against falling prey to fraudsters selling fake seed ahead of the next planting season.
Managing Director Willy Bett said Thursday that the fraudsters were taking advantage of the start of the planting season in the North Rift region to sell fake seed to innocent farmers.
“Farmers should be wary of the quality of seeds they purchase as we enter the planting season because many people are out there selling fake seeds to them without their knowledge,” he said.
Speaking during the launch of Acre Africa Agricultural Insurance in Eldoret Town, Mr Bett revealed that the company had launched a new technology that would enable farmers know the quality of the seeds they purchase.
“Farmers will be required to send a short text message to the special number inscribed on our seed packets.
“In case you don’t receive a reply after you send the SMS text, then you should go back to where you bought the seeds to inquire about its quality,” he explained.
BOOST FOOD SECURITY
Mr Bett advised farmers to buy quality seed and other farm products in order to boost food security in the country.
The function was also attended by, among others, Uasin Gishu County executive for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Dr Ambrose Sirir Cheruiyot and UAP Insurance corporate business manager Mr Robert Mmboga.
Mr Mmboga said the insurance company had entered into partnership with different stakeholders to offer insurance to farmers in the country.
“Agriculture is a key sector in the economy of this country and this is why with the new premium our farmers will be fully covered so that they no longer incur losses whatsoever,” he said.
According to Mr Mmboga, a farmer will be covered based on the size of their piece of land.
“We are already in Kenya and Rwanda and currently running a pilot project in Tanzania.
“We have so far covered over 200 farmers and we are advising more to register with us so that they can get value for their money,” Mr Mmboga added.