KARI releases certified cassava seeds for the first time #kenya

The Kenya Agriculture Research Institute has for the first
time produced certified cassava seeds.
A seed expert from the institute, Dr Joseph Kamau, said six
varieties of the seeds had been released at the Coast, three
in Nairobi and a host of others are being produced.
"For years, the country did not have any certified cassava
seeds but Kari is proud to announce that we now have
certified seeds in the market," he said.
Kamau said plans are underway to open two agri-centres in
Kilifi and Busia towns to process cassava.
"We are committed to improving cassava production in the
country and this can be done through the production of
quality seeds," he said.
Kamau said Kari and the Eastern Africa Agricultural
Productivity Project has also produced certified rice seeds.
He said the new seeds are aromatic and have been blended
with ones from Tanzania.
"One of the varieties is an international product and has
bigger grains than Pishori. The seeds are available in the
Kenya Seed Company outlets," Kamau said.
Kamau, who is also EAAPP deputy project coordinator, was
addressing the press in Dairy Training Institute in Naivasha
during a dairy farmers open day yesterday.
Kamau said for years, farmers have been recycling seeds,
hence affecting their production and quality.
He said recycling the seeds has seen the rice lose its
aromatic smell as the quality of the seed continues to
deteriorate.