Nairobi: Access to quality seed, farmer education, and adoption of technology among smallholder farmers has been identified as essential components in increasing harvests and ensuring the country’s food security.
According to Kenya News Agency, Bayer Kenya Managing Director John Kanyingi highlighted the use of digital tools like the FarmRise application to provide farmers with necessary information and advisory services. Speaking in Nairobi during an award ceremony to honor loyal consumers and leading distributors of seeds and pharmaceuticals, Kanyingi emphasized Bayer’s collaboration with stakeholders including regulators, distributors, and financial institutions to facilitate farmers’ access to quality inputs and financial solutions.
Kanyingi noted a significant increase in the number of farmers enrolling on their platform during the campaign period and praised distributors, agro-dealers, and farmers for their support, stating that collaboration is crucial for achieving food security. He remarked, “This campaign has helped raise awareness on the importance of quality seed, good agricultural practices, and the use of technology to improve productivity.” The initiative aligns with Bayer’s global mission of ‘Health for All, Hunger for None.’
Everlyn Musyoka, Smallholder Value Proposition Lead for Africa at Bayer, emphasized the company’s long-term commitment to African farmers, asserting that despite challenges such as climate change, pests, and diseases, agriculture is vital for addressing food insecurity. “Our smallholder farmers are the backbone of our communities and food systems. Without farmers, there is no food security,” she stated.
Musyoka added that Bayer would continue investing in research and development of climate-smart seed varieties, including drought-tolerant and early-maturing crops, to help farmers adapt to changing climatic conditions. She also highlighted efforts to improve access to agricultural inputs through robust distribution networks and partnerships with agro-dealers nationwide.
Enock Monda, Director and Founder of Enoch M. AgroVet Ltd, shared the company’s growth story since its inception in 2002. Monda spoke of the company’s evolution from encouraging the use of certified seed over recycled seed to becoming a major distributor of certified seeds and agricultural inputs. This transition has aided farmers in embracing modern farming practices and enhancing productivity.
Monda emphasized the importance of partnerships with Bayer and financial service providers in enhancing last-mile delivery of farm inputs, allowing farmers to receive seeds within 24 hours during planting seasons. He further discussed the company’s expansion into soil testing services, which emerged from the realization that poor harvests were not solely due to seed quality. “We discovered many farmers did not know the pH of their soil or the correct fertilizer application methods. That is why we introduced soil testing and deployed technicians to guide farmers on proper agronomic practices,” he explained.
The event’s speakers underscored the importance of collaboration among government agencies, private sector players, and farming communities to drive sustainable agricultural transformation. The ceremony celebrated winners of the national promotion campaign, including farmers who benefited from prizes encouraging the adoption of certified hybrid seed and modern farming technologies. Participants noted that continuous investment in farmer training, innovation, and partnerships is crucial for ensuring increased agricultural productivity and improved livelihoods for smallholder farmers across the country.
