Calls for organic certification took centre stage during Seed Fair Mashinani event at Kiptangwanyi on Friday October 9, 2026.
The event brought together farmers from Elementaita Ward who gathered at Kiptangwanyi centre.
A total 20 Community Seed Banks were represented during the event that saw exhibition of the diversity in seeds and preservation.
It is an event that served as a platform for farmers to also exchange ideas as far as agro ecology is concerned.
They recalled the journey towards seeds freedom and move to ensure farmers can exchange and buy seeds from their fellow farmers.
This, following a Machakos Landmark Court ruling that recognized the rights of farmers and seed sovereignty.
Calls for farmers to go back to the indigenous food for a healthy society and nation also took centre stage.
Speakers at the event reiterated the need for Organic certification.
They noted that such will enable farmers market their produce not only locally, but also internationally.
The event also served as a platform for the launch of new community seed banks.
Lenah Kinuthia- the Chairlady Eden Indigenous Seed Farms revealed that following the launch, on October 22, 2026 farmers will also be taken through trainings towards better Management of the Seed Banks.
She urged farmers to avail themselves for the training as it will equip them to fully understand how to manage the Seed Banks at community level.
“We are here today for the Seed Fair Mashinani event, but we are also officially launching our new Seed Banks. Thereafter we shall have training for the farmers on Seed Bank Management,” she stated.
Speaking during the event, Crop Officer Gilgil Sub County Rachael Njenga noted that majority of farmers in the area are now embracing Organic farming.
This, she said will go a long way in ensuring food security in the country.
She reiterated the need for farmers to engage more on matters indigenous farming as a way of ensuring food security.
The officer called on farmers to avert shortcuts and adopt organic farming and do away with he harmful chemicals.
“We are trying to engage farmers so that they can adopt organic farming and help do away with diseases that come with chemicals in society. Currently farmers now know that organic farming has health and economic advantages,” she said.
Njenga revealed that they are engaging farmers through various trainings to empower them on matters organic farming.
Eden Indigenous Seed Farm CEO Francis Ngiri reiterated the need for farmers to engage in matters food security through clean farming free from harmful chemicals.
While noting that Seed Fair Mashinani events have continued to empower farmers through exchange of ideas, Ngiri also lauded partners among them Seed Savers Network, Hivos Kenya, and BIBA.
Ngiri added that seed sovereignty plays key towards food security.
He at the same lauded the Seed Bill that is before National Assembly adding that it will boost farmers and ensure exchange of seeds variety.
“Seed Banks are key in matters food security as farmers can exchange seeds variety. Farmers need just a little to enable them regenerate seeds and enable adaptation to climatic conditions,” he said.
On matters organic certification, Ngiri urged farmers to ensure same adding that it will go a long way in empowering them economically.
Alexander Githinji from Biodiversity and Biosafety Association of Kenya(BIBA) stated that community seed banks play key in restoration of indigenous seeds.
He encouraged farmers to continue generating indigenous seeds.
“Our heritage and indigenous seeds were disappearing and therefore the seed banks play key in restoration of same,” he said.
Eunice Wambui- a farmer from Destiny Community Seed Bank in Elementaita was categorical that organic farming has empowered her economically as she can sell her crops and boost her livelihood.
She called on stakeholders and government to enable farmers through further trainings.
“Organic farming is the way for this country. It goes a long way in ensuring a healthy society,” she said.
Sentiments echoed by Abraham Mwaura from Kiptangwanyi United Community Seed Bank.
He noted that farming that is free from harmful chemicals is a plus to society.
According to him, County Governments should take matters organic farming seriously and boost the same by embracing even organic fertilizer.
This, he said will help improve livelihoods through clean food production.
“We all need to embrace organic farming as a lifestyle,” he stated.
It should be noted that Seed Fair Mashinani events take place yearly, serving as a platform for farmers to engage, share and exchange ideas.
