Kakamega: Kakamega County has recorded an increase in maize production from 2.8 million (90 kg) bags in 2022 to 3.5 million (90 kg) bags in 2025. The County Executive for Agriculture, Mophat Mandela, attributed the increase in production to various interventions by the county government after the county realized there were only 1.8 million (90 kg) bags of maize in 2018.
According to Kenya News Agency, in a speech read on his behalf by County Director of Irrigation, Engineer Alex Agala, during an Agri-SME expo organized by the ASK Kakamega, the CECM stated that the county government distributed 25 kilograms of planting fertilizer, 25 kg of top dressing fertilizer, and 2 packets of maize seeds to farmers under the Farm Input Subsidy program across the county. The county also promoted drought-tolerant and early-maturing maize and other crop varieties to cope with unpredictable weather patterns.
The Kenya Seed Company Kakamega Branch Manager, Elizabeth Cherop, advised farmers to always observe the right agronomical practices to achieve maximum maize yields. She emphasized the importance of soil testing to determine the appropriate type of fertilizer, early land preparation, and proper spacing for maize. Cherop recommended a spacing of 75 centimeters between the lines for maize and 30 centimeters between the planted maize seeds. For Kenya Seed Maize, she advised planting one seed per hole and ensuring farms are free from weeds by weeding twice or thrice.
Cherop also urged farmers to plant at the right time to avoid pest and disease attacks, which can lead to low yields. She announced that the Kenya Seed Company has developed a new maize variety known as Hybrid 533. This variety is high yielding, produces double cobs, is very sweet, and is suitable for the western region counties of Kakamega, Vihiga, Siaya, and Bungoma, as well as parts of Busia.
