Historical Background

Kenya seed Company is a state Corporation that produces and markets top quality seeds for the country’s farming community with an overall objective of adding value to the farming business and contributing to food sufficiency in Kenya and beyond. The company has made substantial contribution through the development ,production and provision of high quality seeds for various agro-ecological zones.

The Company was incorporated in Kenya in July 1956 to promote the use of improved strains of pasture seed, developed by the National Agricultural Research Station at Kitale. Two years later, the company started an enterprise to produce commercial sunflower for the European bird feed market to sustain its financial needs that had by then expanded. In 1963 the company introduced hybrid seed maize production following the release of the first hybrids by the government Research centre in Kitale. Seed wheat was added to the seed program in 1971 to provide certified seed to farmers who previously depended on low quality farm saved seeds. 

Later in 1979 the company acquired Simpson and White law, a company trading in horticultural seeds, and introduced the brand name “Simlaw Seeds”, which has since distinguished itself as a leading brand in the market. In 2002 Simlaw Seeds was registered as a limited liability company and a subsidiary of Kenya Seed Company Ltd. Its core business is selling and marketing of high quality horticultural seeds in Kenya and eastern Africa. It also sells other farm inputs e.g. Pesticides and Fertilizers.

In the same year Kenya seed incorporated Kibo and Mt Elgon seed Companies in Tanzania and Uganda respectively as an expansion strategy into the Eastern Africa market.

Objectives

• To produce top quality certified seeds

• To supply and promote quality certified seeds to meet effective market demand and needs

• To generate and disseminate appropriate technological packages for farmers

• To enhance internal seed quality standards

• To increase profits through operation and production efficiency and market expansion

• To adopt quality management systems and programs in all sectors of the company

• To adopt mechanisms for spreading risk and improving company income

• To Improve career opportunities through staff training and development 

Role of Kenya Seed Company in The Development of Agriculture

Kenya Seed Company  is making substantial contribution to agriculture growth through the development, production and provision of a wide range of high yielding seed varieties suitable for various agro-ecological zones thus contributing to food self sufficiency in Kenya and beyond.

So far, the Company is handling a wide range of different varieties of crops ranging from Maize, Wheat, Pasture, Sunflower, Sorghum, Millet, Horticultural seeds and Indigenous Vegetables. The wide choice of varieties affords the farmers an opportunity to choose the best for their farms and thus enhance their food production capacity.

To achieve the above objective the company has had to invest a large capital outlay to cater for research and development of technologies, infrastructure, production and marketing.

RESEARCH

Although the government through The Ministry of Agriculture carries out research, The Kenya Seed Company has its own research programmes centered at its Elgon Downs Farm. The Research Department is responsible for variety development and supply of basic seed. It also conducts seed agronomy, herbicide screening and fertilizer types and rates trials and make  recommendations  to  farmers  to enable them maximize yields. 

PRODUCTION

Production department is responsible for the  growing of certified seeds. Local farmers carry out seed production on contractual terms. To ensure the qualities of the seeds, the seed growers are supported by a team of qualified and experienced technical staff who offer advice throughout  all the stages of seed production.

MARKETING

The Company ensures that the farmers are continuously  informed  about new technologies and encourage them  to adopt them in order to  to enhance their productivity. The Company has also established an efficient seed distribution network of agents and stockists in the market place to ensure ease of accessibility of quality seeds at all times.

HUMAN RESOURCES

The management of the Company has built a significant capacity of its human resource through training and development programmes both within and at other reputable training establishments. As a result experienced and dedicated staff man key result areas to deliver quality services and to meet the company’s set objectives.