Seeds
Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services (KEPHIS) will host the 1st International Seed Quality Conference in Kenya next month. Over 200 delegates from Kenya and around the world will attend a four-day conference, themed, “Seed Quality Assurance and Technological Advances for Climate Change Adaptation Towards Sustainable Food and Nutrition Security.”
In a press statement ahead of the conference, KEPHIS Managing Director (MD) Prof. Theophilus Mutui said seed is the most basic input of agricultural production that can give enhanced yields, when all other factors of crop production are kept constant.
“From one Seed Company in the 1990s, Kenya now has over 200 registered seed companies. Technological advances have necessitated the development of various electronic systems to effectively serve the seed industry”, he said.
The Managing Director added that Climate change has also led to the development of varieties that mature faster and use less water. However, Prof. Mutui explained that despite the progress made, there has been the recurrent thorny issue of counterfeit seed, particularly during the planting seasons that hampers agricultural production.
The reduction in land for crop cultivation has raised concerns about future population feeding. Thus, Prof. Mutui emphasized the importance of a conference on seed issues, climate change, and food security, aiming to discuss challenges and opportunities for food production and security in Africa.
Display of traditional seeds in an exhibition.
Moreover, matters of seed have gained prominence in recent years particularly issues of counterfeit seed leading to food insecurity, technological advances to effectively serve the seed industry and climate change which has necessitated the development of varieties that are fast maturing, use less water and are tolerant to pests and diseases.
Lastly, participants will discuss sustainable seed systems for delivery of quality seed, technological advancements and innovations in seed production and quality assurance for climate adaptation and resilience, plant health and biosecurity in seed quality assurance, advancements in variety evaluation, release and maintenance, GMOs and plant variety protection for climate resilience and sustainable agricultural production.