Kari’s new maize seeds promise higher yields

They mature fast and can be harvested in three months.

But their yield is lower than for mid-altitude and high altitude regions.

In a season, the most a farmer can reap in low altitude regions is five tonnes per hectare.

However, in some regions farmers can be guaranteed of at least two planting seasons.

Maize growing in high altitude regions takes around six months to mature, and yields per hectare are quite high.

They range from eight to 10 tonnes per hectare.

The six series varieties such as 614, 625, 626, and 628 are best suited for such regions.

Less fertiliser

Kitale, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Kericho and Upper Migori are suitable for the breeds.

Maize farmed in Kenya is conventional and not genetically modified. But in February, a project dubbed the Improved Maize for African Soils Project (IMAS) was launched with the aim of developing breeds using biotechnology.

The resultant breeds will need less fertiliser and will be affordable to farmers.

They will also effectively absorb nitrogen needed for grain production.

The project initiator, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre, predicts that the breeds will increase yields by 30 to 50 per cent, even when grown in poor soils.

Farmers are expected to access the new seed varieties in the next four years.

Seed companies selling the newly released mid-altitude maize seeds are Olerai Limited and Leldet Kenya Limited. A 2kg packet retails at about Sh1,000.