BY ANGELA R. KIURA
The Embu County Government has issued a stern warning to certified coffee nursery operators found sourcing seeds and seedlings illegally, cautioning that they risk having their licences revoked as the county moves to tighten regulation of planting materials.
County Director of Agriculture Patrick Njeru said recent inspections revealed that some nurseries have been procuring planting materials outside approved channels, a trend he warned is hurting coffee quality and exposing farmers to serious financial risks.
“Some operators have been sourcing seeds and seedlings from uncertified sources, and this compromises the quality of coffee we produce. Nursery operators must obtain seeds and seedlings only from certified institutions to ensure high-quality, disease-free planting materials that meet national standards,” Njeru said.
He added that inspections across all 19 certified nurseries will be intensified, noting that operators found flouting the rules will face penalties, including licence revocation.
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“We will not hesitate to withdraw licences from those who continue to break the law,” he warned.
Njeru also directed nurseries selling uncertified seedlings to stop immediately and dispose of any existing stock, saying, “This illegal practice must end now.”
Farmers were urged to verify the authenticity of seedlings before purchase to avoid falling victim to unscrupulous dealers.
The warning comes as Embu steps up efforts to revitalize its coffee sub-sector through improved input quality, enhanced extension services, and stricter enforcement of regulations governing the production and distribution of planting materials.
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