Seed maize growers in the country have moved to defend price review by Kenya Seed Company (KCS) which saw an increase in the seed prices as they oppose government recent circular to reduce seed maize prices arguing that the move is ill-advised.
The seed growers have observed that the decision to increase the seed maize prices by Kenya Seed Company was arrived at after consultation by all stakeholders in the seed production sector was informed to cushion the company from the dire effects of high cost of production.
In the price review announced in July last year, the firm issued a notice to its distributors on the revised prices that were implemented in July last year which saw the Seed producer increase the prices by more than 30 per cent in a circular citing inflation and high production costs.
Led by their Chairman Antony Barasa Tulienge, the seed maize growers said the recent move by the Ministry of Agriculture to reserve the price back to the old prices financially hurt both the seed growers and the Company.
The seed producers noted that the decision to reduce the commercial seed maize lacked expertise input and will see the Company struggle to meet the production cost and market demand because of the high inflation compared to inputs going into seed production.
This has led to a fresh row between seed maize growers and the government over the move to reverse price review that will see them get less payment this season.
Tulienge threatened that seed growers will abandon seed production ahead of the planting season if the government will interfere with the technical work by the Seed company.
