There are a number of things standing between Kenyan farmers and more effective seeds, meaning that many of them aren’t benefiting from the full effects of technology. A recent Economist article looked at some of the reasons why adoption has been slow and many Kenyans are using technology that is more than 30 years old, and may not be well suited to their growing conditions. The article also cited work by AAE Professor Emilia Tjernström and her colleagues Pepe Clavijo of Refinitiv and Travis Lybbert of the University of California – Davis which found that fake seeds were widespread. Unfortunately, many farmers are not able to determine the difference, and buy product that does not work.
Tjernström and her colleagues continue to explore the counterfeit seed industry in Kenya as part of an effort to get farmers seeds that will bring in better yields and profits.
Read the full article at: https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2019/09/28/better-seeds-could-help-african-farmers-grow-far-more