Government cuts seed prices by 50%, slashes sexed semen costs

The government has cut the price of certified seeds by 50 per cent and significantly reduced the cost of sexed semen for dairy farmers in a fresh package of measures aimed at cushioning farmers and boosting agricultural production.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said the interventions had been introduced in response to a less productive farming season and were intended to reduce production costs for farmers.

Under the new arrangement, a kilogramme of certified seed that previously retailed at Sh300 will now cost Sh150, while a two-kilogramme pack will cost Sh300, down from Sh600.

“The government has put in additional subsidy to support farmers,” Kindiki said, announcing the measures.

“Now that the season was not very, very productive, we have reduced the price of certified seeds by 50 per cent, effective immediately.”

He said the lower prices would enable farmers to access quality planting material at a reduced cost and use the savings to increase production.

The move comes as the government seeks to lower the cost of farming and improve productivity across key agricultural value chains, with agriculture remaining central to its economic transformation agenda.

Kindiki also announced a major reduction in the cost of sexed semen used in dairy breeding, saying the price had been cut from Sh8,000 to Sh1,400 per dose for artificial insemination.

The intervention is expected to make improved dairy breeding technology more accessible to smallholder farmers, potentially helping them increase milk production and improve household incomes.

Livestock farmers, we have reduced the price of sexed semen for dairy production from Sh8,000 to Sh1,400 for artificial insemination,” Kindiki said.

Sexed semen allows farmers to increase the likelihood of producing female calves, which are particularly valuable in dairy farming because they can replenish and expand productive herds.

Kindiki was speaking Tuesday at his Karen office when he received the final technical preparedness reports of the first cohort of 8 County Aggregation and Industrial Parks(CAIPs) being equipped for operationalisation before year end.

The initial value chains have been agreed: Meru and Embu will begin with Macadamia value addition, Kirinyaga will manufacture tomato paste while Wajir will process leather and camel milk.

Kisii, Busia, Garissa and Migori will manufacture avocado oil, cassava starch, sunflower oil and fish feed respectively for a start in phase 1 of the CAIPs.

Used the occasion to update on national food security situation and el nino rains preparedness.

The announcement by the DP adds to a series of government interventions targeting agriculture, including subsidised fertiliser, support for cooperatives, investment in milk cooling and processing equipment and reforms in major value chains such as tea, sugar and dairy.

In the sugar sector, the government has been pursuing privatisation of State-owned mills, restructuring debts and addressing farmers’ payment arrears, while some millers have introduced more regular, including weekly, cane payments.