Kebacha Seeds Elevating Seed Productivity Amidst the Indigenous Seed Dilemma
In the next five years, Kebacha seeds aims to solidify its position as the seed company of choice for farmers across Kenya and East Africa.
Kebacha Limited is a leading agricultural company in Kenya, specializing in the supply of high-quality seeds and seedlings, alongside offering consultancy services in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to ensure sustainable farm productivity. The company was established with a clear mission: to provide farmers with access to both hybrid and open-pollinated varieties (OPVs) of quality seeds.
Founded by directors with over 23 years of experience in the seed industry, Kebacha leverages modern breeding techniques to deliver seed varieties that meet the evolving needs of both farmers and consumers.
Kebacha acknowledges the importance of both indigenous and modern seed varieties. While modern hybrids deliver higher yields and better performance on smaller plots of land, indigenous varieties—such as cassava, millet, and sweet potato—are better adapted to local climates and offer essential nutritional benefits.
As such, the company advocates for a balanced approach that safeguards indigenous seeds while promoting innovative, high-performing hybrids. Kebacha also emphasizes the importance of government regulation, particularly through bodies like KARLO, to ensure the quality of farm-saved seeds and protect native plant varieties.
A key aspect of the company’s vision is to introduce early-maturing, disease-tolerant varieties that address the growing challenges posed by climate change. These efforts aim to enhance productivity while reducing the need for chemical inputs, benefiting both the environment and consumer health. Additionally, Kebacha offers extensive training to farmers, equipping them with the skills to manage crops efficiently and achieve maximum yields.
Kebacha’s team consists of agricultural professionals with extensive expertise in crop management and seed development. This expertise is instrumental in developing innovative hybrid varieties that are transforming agriculture across Kenya and East Africa.
Over the years, Kebacha Limited’s primary focus—providing farmers with reliable, high-quality seeds—has evolved to meet the diverse needs of consumers. The company takes a hands-on approach, supporting farmers throughout the production process to ensure they receive the necessary guidance and assistance to succeed.
Kebacha’s strong field team fosters close relationships with farmers, providing expert advice on GAP and meeting specific needs. This farmer-centered approach has led to improved productivity, higher-quality yields, and increased earnings for farmers.
Kebacha offers a wide range of seeds, including affordable open-pollinated varieties and high-performance hybrids. Among the OPV seeds offered are Carrot NANTES, Coriander MULTICUT, and Squash BUTTERNUT. The hybrid seeds, sourced from leading companies like BEJO Seeds, include varieties such as onion RED NICE F1, broccoli LUCKY F1, and cabbage EXCALIBUR. The company continues to innovate, testing new hybrids that will be launched in 2025 to ensure farmers always have access to high-quality, rigorously tested products.
Kebacha’s relationship with farmers is built on trust and problem-solving, strengthened by close collaboration in selecting seed varieties suited to local conditions. This feedback loop—where farmers share their experiences, and Kebacha uses the information to inform future breeding programs—has fostered steady market growth and earned the loyalty of many farmers.
Although Kebacha initially faced skepticism from some farmers, those who invested their trust in the company have enjoyed excellent crop outcomes. This has cultivated strong loyalty and positive word-of-mouth promotion.
One of Kebacha’s key achievements has been the successful reintroduction of BEJO seed varieties into the Kenyan market. These high-quality seeds had previously been absent due to distribution challenges, but thanks to Kebacha, farmers can now access these premium products again.
Kebacha’s success is partly due to its commitment to continuous farmer education through various channels, including digital platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, where the company shares educational clips and production guides. Kebacha conducts in-field training sessions when launching new varieties, offering farmers practical learning opportunities. Lead farmers are often provided with free samples to test new varieties before committing to large-scale purchases.
In the next five years, Kebacha aims to solidify its position as the seed company of choice for farmers across Kenya and East Africa. The company’s overarching goal is to “secure harvests” by offering varieties that provide excellent yields and quality, contributing to the sustainability of farming enterprises in the region.
Kebacha Limited is more than just a seed supplier; it is a committed partner to farmers, dedicated to solving the challenges of modern agriculture. By providing high-quality seeds, expert guidance, and promoting sustainable farming practices, Kebacha is playing a pivotal role in ensuring food security and agricultural success in Kenya and beyond.
