Govt Announces Maize Seed Prices Ahead Of Long Rainy Season

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has announced new maize seed prices ahead of the long rains season when farmers are expected to plant their crops.

The Ministry had directed Kenya Seed Company (KSC) and its Managing Director, Sammy Chepsiror, to review maize seed prices after it acknowledged receiving complaints from farmers regarding the rising cost of maize seeds.

KSC was directed to reassess the prices to provide relief to farmers. As a result, the government resolved to maintain the 2024 rates.

"The Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, has received several requests from farmers concerning increased prices of maize seeds for the 2025 long rains planting season.  

Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe during a multi-stakeholder consultation on February 26, 2025. /MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

"Upon consultation with your institution and other organs of the government and taking into consideration the government plan on food security, the Ministry is directing that the prices of maize seeds, for the 2025 long rains season, be retained as per the previous year 2024," the letter read.

“The above prices take effect immediately. Ensure that appropriate measures are put in place to disseminate the communication in good time to seed producers, distributors, farmers, and the general public,” the letter added. The seeds will be available for purchase at Kenya Seed outlets nationwide.

Founded in 1956, Kenya Seed's core mission is to produce and distribute high-quality certified seeds.

Based in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County, the company supplies a wide variety of seeds, including maize, wheat, pasture grasses, sunflower, sorghum, finger millet, legumes, rice, groundnuts, sesame (simsim), and various horticultural crops.

In 1979, Kenya Seed Company expanded by acquiring Simpson and White Law, a vegetable seed company now operating under the Simlaw Seeds brand.

The revised prices came into effect on February 25, with the government instructing KSC to notify farmers, distributors, and the public to protect them from fraudulent seed sellers.

Kenya's long rains occur in March, April, and May, marking a vital planting period for maize farmers.

Furthermore, the government has directed KSC to guarantee the distribution of only authentic seeds in response to recent reports of counterfeit seeds in the market.

To address this issue, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has recommended harsher penalties, proposing a minimum jail term of 10 years for those caught selling fake seeds, with no option for a fine.

"In my view, we should enhance the punishment and make them serve a jail sentence of not less than 10 years without a fine—just go to jail," CS Kagwe stated during an appearance before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Agriculture on February 21.

Maize seeds in a cob. /SIMLAW SEEDS