November 20, 2025
The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) recently hosted a specialized capacity-building workshop at its headquarters in Karen, Nairobi, drawing together a diverse group of stakeholders from across the agricultural sector. Participants included plant breeders, Plant Breeders Rights (PBR) applicants, and their agents representing universities, research institutions, and private businesses.
The workshop aimed to enhance participants’ understanding and compliance in several critical areas crucial to Kenya’s agricultural innovation and seed quality frameworks. These focal points included Plant Variety Protection (PVP), National Performance Trials (NPT), and the technical standards for Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability (DUS) testing. Additionally, the session introduced stakeholders to the Seed Certification and Plant Variety Protection (SC&PVP) Automation System, a digital platform designed to streamline certification processes and promote efficiency.
This capacity-building initiative supports objectives outlined in KEPHIS’s 2025-2026 strategic plan, which emphasizes improving farmers’ access to high-quality seeds and superior crop varieties. By strengthening knowledge and adherence to regulatory standards, KEPHIS aims to boost agricultural productivity and safeguard breeder innovations vital for sustainable growth in Kenya’s horticulture and crop sectors.
Mr. Simon Maina, Director of Seed Certification and Plant Variety Protection at KEPHIS, officially opened the workshop, underscoring the training’s significance as a major step towards enhancing Kenya’s seed industry standards.