Kenya is home to an estimated 7.5 million smallholder farmers, constituting 80 per cent of the country’s total agricultural output. This dominance of smallholder farming extends across East Africa, where it accounts for over 75 per cent of agricultural production, underscoring its central role in regional economies.
Key to the success of these farmers is access to high-quality seeds, which directly impact crop yields and resilience to environmental pressures.
Seed quality stands as a cornerstone of agricultural productivity for smallholder farmers, with seed companies such investing in research and development to create seeds tailored to local conditions.
Everlyn Musyoka, Bayer’s Smallholder Strategy Lead for Africa says agronomic advisory services and accessibility to innovations and technologies including improved seed varieties have positively impacted farmer livelihoods through improved yields.
“We have accelerated the ability of our farmers to access seeds as well as information on farming best practices and we are proud of the impact this has brought to the livelihoods of the farmers who are producing more with less,” she added.
John Kilonzo Nthenge, a smallholder farmer in Machakos, says ensuring access to quality seeds remains imperative, particularly for smallholders who may not readily have the relevant knowledge and the networks.
This underscores the importance of partnerships with agro vets, who serve as crucial intermediaries in disseminating agricultural knowledge and providing essential inputs to farmers.
Collaboration with channel partners accelerates access to inputs and ensures farmers can access quality seed in the rural areas.
The collaboration not only facilitates seed distribution but also empowers farmers with knowledge and best practices for sustainable agriculture.
While highlighting the value of partnership in transferring knowledge and providing top-quality products to farmers, Felix Musyoka, manager of Makamithi Agrovet in Machakos says these collaborations extend beyond seed distribution, encompassing a holistic approach to supporting smallholder farmers throughout the agricultural value chain.
Through their collaborative endeavours, Bayer East Africa says they are forging a path towards a more promising future for small-scale farmers and actively participating in the revitalization of the agricultural landscape in the region.
