Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Dr Andrew Karanja says Kenya expects an increase in maize production by an extra 20 million bags, this year.
Karanja said for the first time there is a projected harvest of up to 70 million bags, mainly because of favourable weather and government support for farmers.
The CS said the good rains and provision of subsidised fertilisers by the government had helped farmers increase acreage under maize production.
He spoke in Transnzoia during a tour to inspect four Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) and Kenya Seed Company (KSC) farms in the region.
"I am really happy that compared to last season where we managed between 40 and 60 million bags, this year's crop is more promising and 70 million bags of 90 kg are expected to be harvested," Karanja said
He said the ADC and KSC had collaborated well with other stakeholders to support agriculture in the country.
“As the government, we will offer the necessary support to KSC and ADC to ensure they discharge their mandate in the agricultural sector,” he said.
He said the good production was an indicator that the country was now food secure.
Dr Karanja also hailed farmers, whom he said had done a great job to produce food for the country.
The CS said the government will increase the supply of subsidised fertiliser to farmers at Sh2,500 to further help farmers maintain high productivity.
Dr Karanja said Kenya Seed Company is expected to harvest 70 million kilos of seed maize in readiness for the next planting season.
ADC which is a major contracted seed grower is expected to produce 10 million kilos this season according to Managing Director Wilson Tonui.
The government was keen to ensure an adequate supply of seeds to farmers in all parts of the country.
The seed company experienced a shortage of some seed varieties earlier this year, which affected farmers in parts of the North Rift region.
During the tour the CS was with Kenya Seed Company Chairperson Purity Ngirici, the firm’s CEO Sammy Chepsiror and National Assembly Agriculture Committee member Ferdinand Wanyonyi.
“We will enhance our engagement with farmers so that we can also achieve increased productivity as concerns as major crops," the CS said.
