New wheat, cassava varieties to help improve food security

The government has introduced new wheat and cassava varieties in an effort to improve food security.

The development of the new wheat technologies is meant to make it resistant to wheat rust.

The two varieties are Robin and Eagle 10.

The project, spearheaded by East Africa Agricultural Productivity Project has also seen the making of a fabricated wheat thresher and a
seed dresser that will be distributed to farmers all over the country.

EAAPP seed specialist Joseph Kamau said that the new seed variety now being produced were available at the Kenya Seed Company outlets.

“We have also produced 14 tons of breeder seed and 605 tons of
certified seed which are now out in the market. They were produced in collaboration with farmers groups all over the country,” he added.

INCREASED YIELD

He said that wheat productivity had also increased from an average of 3.2 tons per hectare in 2012 to 4.5 tons with the new variety.

“Over 2800 hectares are now under the new wheat variety which is being grown by both small and large scale farmers,” he added.

On cassava development, the government will establish two cassava centres in Kilifi and Busia which will focus on improving access to clean and high yielding cassava varieties.

The centres will produce at least two million pieces for both animal and human consumption.

“We are targeting companies that manufacture cassava flour for consumption, both by people and animals. We are also targeting
companies that produce cassava chips,” he added.

On rice development, the country has developed 450 tonnes of certified seeds through partnership between the public and private sector.

Four new upland NERICA varieties (1, 4,10 and 11 ) were promoted through partnerships and introduced in rice producing areas.

“This has seen 5000 hectares planted with improved varieties in the country and hence production has shot up from 3.8 to 4.2 tonnes per hectare in the last one year,” said Mr Kamau