Psst … farmers! Here are other maize seed varieties apart from the H6213 that can do well in your area
Maize seed variety bought at the Kenya Seed Company in Nakuru.
Nakuru farmers have not been a happy bunch for some time now. Since the planting season began, many of them have been unable to work on their farms due to a number of challenges.
The current problem is a shortage of maize seed. And not just any maize seed, but the preferred H6213.
Farmers have been queuing for days at the Kenya Seed Company (KSC) shop for this ideal seed variety.
In an interview with the Nakuru branch, KSC's Acting Operations Manager, Esther Cherop, noted that the shortage is largely due to the high demand for maize seed, especially the H6213 variety because of its good performance.
"In Nakuru, most farmers have turned to KSC after the case of fake seed that was intercepted in Njoro sub-county, this has resulted in farmers relying on KSC as their main source for planting seeds," says Ms Cherop.
But there is a solution. Apart from H 6213, there are other maize seed varieties that can be planted and perform just as well.
Ms Cherop notes that Nakuru County is divided into several ecological zones; highland, transitional, mid-altitude and lowland, where different maize seed varieties perform well.
Here are some of the alternative maize seed varieties she says farmers could adopt in their regions.
Highlands.
While H6213 is the most popular seed variety in the highland areas of Kuresoi, Molo, Kipipiri, Elburgon, Mauche, Ravine, Olenguruoni and others, a suitable alternative for these areas would be H628, H629, H6210 and H9401.
Transitional areas.
This covers most of Nakuru County including the areas of Rongai, Kabarak, Subukia, Naivasha, lower Gilgil, Naishi, Elementaita, Solai. In this zone H520, H517 and H519 could be planted as an alternative to H624.
Medium Altitude areas.
Hybrid 513 and Hybrid 516 can be planted interchangeably in this zone. They thrive in areas such as Mogotio, Salgaa, Kambi ya Moto, Olrongai, parts of Naivasha, Gilgil, Rongai and other areas in this zone.
Lowlands.
DH04 is a high performer in the lowland areas of; Menengai, Rumuruti, Mogotio, Sipili, Naivasha, Gilgil, Marigat.