10Kg Maize Seed to Sell for KSh2,625 as Govt Rolls Out KSh2 Billion Subsidy

10Kg Maize Seed to Sell for KSh2,625 as Govt Rolls Out KSh2 Billion Subsidy

The government has announced a sweeping reduction in the prices of certified maize seeds under a KSh2 billion subsidy programme aimed at easing the burden on farmers and boosting food production ahead of the planting season.

In a directive issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, farmers across the country will now purchase subsidised maize seeds at significantly lower prices, with a 10-kilogram packet set to retail at KSh2,625.

The move follows a presidential order conveyed through the Office of the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, instructing immediate action to make farm inputs more affordable amid rising production costs.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the intervention is designed to increase planting acreage, improve harvests, and stabilise food prices in the long term.

“Big win to our farmers as subsidised maize seed prices take effect tomorrow at 11am (Wednesday) after the Kenya Seed system update. We are making seeds more affordable nationwide,” Kagwe announced.

According to the revised pricing structure, smaller packages will also see substantial reductions. A 1-kilogram packet will retail at KSh260, while a 2-kilogram packet will cost KSh525. Larger quantities will be similarly discounted, with a 25-kilogram bag priced at KSh6,560.

The subsidy will be implemented through Kenya Seed Company, the state-backed firm responsible for producing and distributing certified seeds to farmers nationwide. In a letter dated March 23 addressed to Managing Director Sammy Chepsiror, the ministry outlined the new prices and instructed immediate rollout.

Officials said the government has injected KSh2 billion into the company to cushion the cost difference and ensure adequate supply throughout the planting period.

Farmers have repeatedly called for input subsidies, arguing that high seed and fertiliser prices have discouraged cultivation and reduced productivity in recent seasons.

Maize is Kenya’s primary staple crop, and fluctuations in production directly affect the cost of maize flour, a dietary mainstay for millions of households.

Agricultural analysts say the subsidy could lead to increased acreage under maize cultivation, potentially improving national food security if weather conditions remain favourable.

Last year’s production targets — estimated between 70 and 80 million bags — were disrupted by erratic rainfall patterns, leaving many farmers with poor yields.

However, the Kenya Meteorological Department has projected a possible return of the El Niño weather phenomenon later this year, which typically brings above-average rainfall to parts of the country.

While excessive rainfall can sometimes cause flooding and crop damage, moderate El Niño conditions are often associated with improved agricultural output in rain-fed farming regions.

Government officials expressed optimism that the combination of affordable inputs and favourable weather could significantly raise maize production, reduce reliance on imports, and ease pressure on consumer prices.

Economists also note that increased domestic supply could stabilise inflation in the food sector, which has been a key driver of the cost-of-living crisis.

Nonetheless, some experts caution that timely distribution and accessibility in remote areas will determine the programme’s success, warning that logistical challenges have undermined past subsidy efforts.

The ministry said price adjustments take effect immediately, allowing farmers to begin purchasing seeds in time for planting.

For many small-scale farmers, the reduced prices represent a critical lifeline as they prepare their fields amid tight financial conditions.

If successful, the subsidy could mark one of the most significant agricultural interventions in recent years — with far-reaching implications for food security, rural incomes, and the overall economy.

As planting season begins, all eyes will be on whether the cheaper seeds translate into fuller granaries and more stable food prices for Kenyan households in the months ahead.

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10Kg Maize Seed to Sell for KSh2,625 as Govt Rolls Out KSh2 Billion Subsidy