Farmers across the County have been petitioned to develop the culture of preserving indigenous seeds to prevent extinction and enhance food security.
This was said during a workshop in Naivasha organized by seed savers network in partnership with green peace Africa and Biba Kenya .
Speaking during workshop, Elizabeth Opolo, food advocate at Green peace Africa noted that the government should help farmers preserve their indigenous seeds that are resistant to diseases and climate change.
She said the move would help the country be self reliant on matters foods.
"The issue of food security in the Country is of crucial matters and thus the government should support its farmers in producing food crops that are well adapted to the weather "she said
Julia Nyawira ,head of programs seed savers network Kenya described the existing seeds and plant variety act as punitive and urged the government to relook on it.
She said that the act in place prohibits and even criminalizes the sale and exchange of peasants seeds by the farmers that have developed them.
"There is a court case going on, several farmers filed a petition against it as they found it discriminatory and oppressive"she said .
She said that the government should encourage the farmers to preserve their seeds and exchange as it has been the traditional way .
Wanjiru Kamau, Technical advisor with Biba Kenya said that the Kenyan government should amend the laws and allow the sale, exchange and sharing of indigenous seeds and integrate local farmer seed management into law.
"The sharing of seeds among our forefathers has been there and should not be restricted by allowing this,we will have to preserve some species that are dying slowly "she noted .
According to John Wainaina, a farmer and seed ambassador in Kikopey,Gilgil having food security in the country will help economic development.
He urged the government to empower its farmers through all the means possible .