The Seed Stakeholders Forum unites public and private actors to resolve constraints in the national seed supply. Discussions focus on clearing certification bottlenecks and increasing awareness of industrial processing varieties.

The NPCK convened the Bi-annual Seed Stakeholders Forum on March 24, 2026, serving as a critical platform for dialogue among a wide array of sector actors. Participants included representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, KEPHIS, KALRO, and private seed producers. The forum was designed to address systemic constraints such as the limited availability and accessibility of certified seed, which continues to hinder national productivity.

A significant portion of the discussion focused on policy and regulatory bottlenecks that can slow down the efficiency of seed certification and distribution. Stakeholders emphasized that while regulations are necessary for quality assurance, they must be balanced with the need for timely access to seeds for farmers. The forum reinforced that these challenges are interconnected and require coordinated action from all value chain actors to resolve.

Another key issue raised was the low awareness of potato varieties specifically suited for processing markets. This knowledge gap prevents many farmers from diversifying their market reach and taking advantage of value-addition opportunities in the food industry. Stakeholders identified this as a major barrier to aligning national production with evolving commercial and industrial demands.

The forum concluded with a reaffirmed commitment to collaborative policy alignment and the strengthening of seed systems. By sharing field-level insights and exploring practical approaches to improving seed availability, the forum aims to create a more responsive and efficient seed system. These high-level meetings are essential for ensuring that the legal and commercial environment supports the growth of smallholder farmers.