MPs propose to transfer seed subsidy program to NCPB

Members of Parliament have proposed transferring the responsibility of distributing subsidised seeds from Kenya Seed Company to National Cereals and Produce Board, citing delays and implementation concerns.

The proposal emerged during a session of the National Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Livestock, where Kenya Seed Company officials appeared before lawmakers to explain the status of the maize seed subsidy programme.

The committee raised concerns that the company had yet to implement the subsidy despite a directive issued last week by the Agriculture Principal Secretary requiring distribution before the planting season ends.

Committee chairperson John Mutunga said National Cereals and Produce Board has an existing system used to distribute subsidised fertiliser, which could be replicated for seeds.

“Let National Cereals and Produce Board use the same mechanism applied in fertiliser distribution to also handle seed subsidies,” Mutunga said.

Kenya Seed Company chairperson Purity Ngirici questioned the directive, saying it did not follow proper policy procedures and lacked approval from the Cabinet Secretary.

Ngirici said implementing the subsidy without a Cabinet memo risks creating operational and financial challenges for the company.

“If we act on directives without policy backing, we risk repeating challenges experienced in previous seasons,” she said.

The company said the proposed subsidised price of KSh250 per kilogram is below its production cost of KSh257.40, creating a deficit of KSh7.40 per kilogram.

MPs back NCPB distribution model

Soy MP David Kiplagat supported the proposal, saying farmers are already familiar with National Cereals and Produce Board systems through fertiliser distribution programmes.

“Our farmers are not complaining about fertiliser distribution. Why not use the same infrastructure for seeds?” he said.

Konoin MP Brighton Yegon said seeds and fertiliser are complementary inputs and should be distributed through a single system for efficiency.

Lawmakers noted that the planting season is already about 60% complete, raising urgency over implementation.

Members of the committee proposed that part of the approved KSh2 billion subsidy be used to settle pending bills amounting to KSh1.4 billion from previous seasons.

They suggested the remaining funds be allocated to National Cereals and Produce Board to facilitate immediate rollout of the programme.

The committee also met other agricultural agencies, including regulators and research institutions, as part of discussions on budget revisions for the 2025/26 financial year.