Farmers Urged To Verify Seeds As Anti-Counterfeit Campaign Gains Momentum

By Elizabeth Angira

As farmers  prepares for the next planting season, a combined approach of farmer education, digital verification, and access to certified seed is expected to play a critical role in boosting yields and protecting livelihoods.

With counterfeit seeds continuing to pose a serious threat across Kenya, stakeholders are holding sensitization forums to ensure farmers understand how to identify genuine products and access safe, certified agricultural inputs.

As part of the campaign, farmers are being encouraged to scratch the Care Feed verification stickers placed on seed bags. The simple step helps them confirm authenticity, protect their investment, and secure their harvests from the risks associated with counterfeit seeds.

Speaking during the launch of the National Pick-Up Promotion Campaign in Kisii County, Bayer East Africa Managing Director John Kanyingi said the initiative is meant to protect farmers from fake seeds while also rewarding them for choosing genuine products.

“When farmers scratch the sticker, they not only confirm the seed is genuine but also get a chance to win prizes, including the pick-up truck displayed here and other farming equipment,” Kanyingi said. “This is our way of appreciating farmers for walking with us in the journey to strengthen food security in the country. At the same time, we want to ensure they use certified seeds and not counterfeit ones.”

Kanyingi noted that in the past, many farmers planted three or four seeds in one hole because they were unsure whether all of them would germinate.

“Farmers would plant four seeds just to increase the chances that at least one survives,” he explained. “We are now assuring them that when you plant one  seed, you can be confident it will germinate and grow into a healthy crop. There is no longer a need to overcrowd the hole. One seed is enough.”

He emphasized that smallholder farmers play a central role in food production and that supporting them with quality inputs is key to improving yields.

However, unpredictable rainfall patterns in recent years have left many farmers uncertain about planting seasons.

“Rainfall has become unreliable. Farmers don’t know when the rains will come or whether they will be sufficient,” he said. “That is why we have developed seed hybrids suited to different weather conditions for low rainfall areas and for high rainfall areas.”

According to him, this adaptability allows farmers to harvest even in challenging conditions.

“Farmers in Lower Eastern regions, where rains are short, can still get a harvest using early-maturing varieties. Farmers in Kisii can plant hybrids suited for moderate rainfall. Moreover, if the rains are delayed or shorter than expected, they can shift to faster-maturing varieties. The goal is to ensure that wherever a farmer is, they can still produce a crop despite the changing climate,” he said.

Catherine Kemunto, a farmer and Field Service Coordinator from Itumbe in Bobasi, shared how improved seed varieties have changed her farming journey.

She recalled struggling during drought periods and harvesting very little from her land. “I used to get very low yields, sometimes barely ten bags,” she said. “It was discouraging.”

After trying DK varieties such as DK 7500, DK 7700, 833 and 831, she began to see a difference.

“When I planted the yellow DK 7500, I followed the recommended spacing and farming practices I had been taught. The crop performed well,” she said. “From one bag, I was able to harvest up to 40 sacks. That was a big change for me.”

Kemunto said the improved yields have transformed her household. “The income from the maize has helped me pay school fees for my children. I no longer struggle the way I used to. Farming has become reliable,” she added.

She now teaches other farmers in her area the importance of using certified seeds and following proper planting methods, including correct spacing and land preparation.

“We support each other as farmers. When you use the right seed and follow the right practices, you see the results,” she said.

Peter Nyabuto a maize farmer from Itumbe  Bobasi, recounted how he  once planted seeds purchased from an unverified dealer only to experience uneven germination.

“I prepared my land well and followed all instructions. Only a few plants germinated. I later learned the seeds were fake. That season was very difficult for my family,” he said.

Mosoti Nyaberi, the District Agency Manager for South Rift and Nyanza, said the company works closely with farmers across about 10 counties, from Nakuru to Siaya.

“As partners to farmers, our aim is to make their work easier, especially during this time of climate change,” Nyaberi said. “We are investing in technology to develop varieties that can withstand drought, resist diseases and remain stable in harsh weather.”

He added that the company is also focusing on producing high-yielding varieties that are strong, less prone to lodging, and suitable for different growing seasons.

To ensure the seeds reach farmers, the company works with a network of distributors. “We have several distributors in this region to make sure our technology is accessible. We supply them, and they in turn supply farmers,” he said.

The campaign, officials say, is not only about winning prizes but also about restoring farmers’ confidence assuring them that when they invest in genuine seed, they are investing in a dependable harvest.