The Ministry of Agriculture has revealed that at least 30 individuals have been arrested in the last one month in connection with the sale of counterfeit seeds.
According to Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Ronoh , the suspects were nabbed in various parts of the country in a crackdown launched by the Ministry in collaboration with security officers.
Speaking on Wednesday at Kipkelion West in Kericho during the annual Pyrethrum Farmers’ Harvest celebrations, the Ps stated that for a long time farmers have continued to reap low yields attributed to uncertified seeds being sold to them by unscrupulous unsuspecting dealers.
“Some of them fled to the neighboring countries but we managed to pursue and arrest them.”
He challenged the national government administration officers to stay alert to prevent the resurgence of such unscrupulous dealers peddling fake seeds.
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According to the PS, the interventions put in place by the government will ensure farmers reap maximum yields from their produces.
He urged the county governments to identify satellite stores to enhance accessibility by farmers.
Additionally, he revealed that about four million farmers in the 14 value chains across the country are to receive the fertilizer being sold at Kes 2,500 for the short rains.
He said the government plans to procure close to 7.5 million bags for the long rains.
CS Linturi said the government has captured data for 6.4 million farmers which he noted has greatly helped in planning for the future of agriculture through science and technology.
