Seed Review: Farmers losing 1/3rd + of country’s maize harvest on wrong seed choice
10 min read
By Lyzzie Owade
Of the 25 mainstream maize seeds sold in Kenya, nearly a fifth are halving the number of sacks per acre that farmers harvest. Even switching from standard performance seeds to high-yield seeds can increase farmers’ maize by 13 sacks per acre, from an average 36 sacks to 49 sacks.
FarmBizAfrica has reviewed the country’s main seeds to calculate the best value, those that have no benefits and most reduce returns, and those that may have lower yields, but solve special challenges, such as cold, misty weather.
Of the types of seeds currently sold to Kenyan farmers, just 20% give high yields, 28% solve special needs, and the rest are either standard or poor performers reducing farmers’ incomes with no benefits at all.
The special needs seeds have lower yields but do better in either drought, disease and pest hotspots, cold areas, or through early maturity.
Following our rankings, we list, below that, each seed’s characteristics, the altitude and areas of Kenya it is best suited for, it’s price and where and how farmers can get it, if it is not available at the local agrovets.
- Kenya’s top maize seed performers by altitude
| Altitude category | Top-performing seed | Yield (90 kg bags/acre) | Seed cost per sack (Sh) | Notes |
| High-altitude / cold zones | H6218 | 56 | 11 | Highest yield among highland hybrids; adapts to frost, mist, and most highland soils. |
| Medium-altitude / transitional zones | DK7500 | 40–45 | 24–27 | Reliable yield; good resistance to foliar diseases; performs well in Trans-Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, and Mt. Elgon slopes. |
| Medium-altitude / western Kenya | Pioneer PHB 30G19 | 45–50 | 12–13 | Shorter maturity (110–130 days), good disease tolerance; high uniformity for commercial planting. |
| Lowland / coastal and semi-arid zones | SC Sungura 301 | 20–30 | 18–27 | Strong drought tolerance; thrives with low rainfall (250–600 mm); MSV-resistant. |
| Lowland / low rainfall lakeside or Eastern | KSDTV-01 | 18–20 | 30–33 | Fast-maturing, drought-resilient hybrid for margi |
- The best, the special, and the worst seeds
(based on yield per acre, seed cost per 90kg sack, and field advantages)
| High-return seeds | Special-solution seeds | Poor / legacy seeds |
| H6218 – 56 bags/acre, Sh11 per sack. Outstanding yield for high altitude; strong cold tolerance and wide adaptability. | H614 – 20–40 bags/acre, Sh16–31. Survives extreme cold and mist; reliable cob fill under frost and poor light. | WH507 – 30–35 bags/acre, Sh23–27. Older line with low yield and no resilience advantage; better options exist. |
| H626 – 42 bags/acre, Sh11 per sack. Stable under cool nights, consistent cob fill. | PH1 – 15 bags/acre, Sh40. Grows in hot, dry, coastal and lake basin zones with minimal rainfall. | SC Duma 43 – 30–35 bags/acre, Sh24–28. Outperformed by newer Seed Co and Kenya Seed hybrids. |
| Pioneer 30G19 – 45–50 bags/acre, Sh12–13 per sack. High uniformity, good standability, and shorter maturity. | KSDTV-01 – 18–20 bags/acre, Sh30–33. Drought-tolerant, matures fast under semi-arid Eastern and Coast conditions. | SC Duma 419 – 32–38 bags/acre, ~Sh19–22. No standout traits; medium yield and cost. |
| H624 – 32–34 bags/acre, Sh18 per sack. Balanced yield and cost for medium altitudes; dependable all-rounder. | WH101 – 20–25 bags/acre, Sh33–41. Fast-maturing lowland seed preferred for posho milling. | |
| SC Simba 61 – 40–45 bags/acre, good yield and strong stalks; performs well in both high and mid-altitudes. | H516 – 28 bags/acre, Sh26 per sack. Chosen for short maturity and reliable grain under erratic rainfall. | |
| SC Sungura 301 – 20–30 bags/acre, Sh18–27 per sack. Best lowland cost–yield balance; performs well under low rainfall. |
- Special needs seeds
These hybrids serve zones or problems not covered by high-yield seeds, ensuring national coverage across Kenya’s range of altitudes and rainfall conditions.
Drought tolerance (low rainfall areas, < 600 mm)
- SC Sungura 301 – grows with as little as 250 mm; strong MSV resistance
- KSDTV-01 – reliable under 500 mm rainfall
- WH505 – tolerates 500–800 mm
- H614 – highland hybrid but very resilient to moisture stress
Disease and pest hotspots
- H516 – strong resistance to stem borer and fall armyworm
- WH507 – high resistance to MSV, GLS, and blight
- DK8031 – controls Leaf Rust, GLS, and cob rot
- DK777 – resistant to Maize Lethal Necrosis
Cold or high-altitude adaptation
- H614 and H626 – mature well in cold, misty highlands
- H629 – thrives in tea-zone altitudes of Central Kenya
Early maturity / short growing season
- SC Duma 419 and SC Sungura 301 – harvest in under 100 days; ideal for erratic rainfall
- The characteristics and prices of all seeds analysed, by altitude
High attitude maize varieties
H6218
Produced by Kenya seed company and Simlaw
Yield per acre: 56 bags on 90kg a acre
Time from seed to planting: 75-85 days
Water needed: Regular watering
Recommended area of growing: Trans- Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Kiambu, Nyeri, Meru, Nyandarua district,Eldoret, Nakuru
Where to buy it: 2kg @ 600/= , agroduka 2kg @650/= or from the local agrovet.
H6213
Produced by: Kenya seed company
Yield per acre: 52 bags of 90kg per acre
Time from seed to planting: 160-210 days
Water needed: high rainfall from 800-1500mm
Recommended area of growing:Trans-Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Nakuru, Laikipia, Kisii, and Kiambu counties
Where to buy it: Simlaw 2kg @ 600/= Rift farmers agrovet 0722 403758 at 550/= for 2kg, Grebe Enterprises Agrovet 2kg for 580/= 0728561021
H629
Produced by Kenya seeds company
Yield per acre: 48 bags of 90kg
Time from planting: 160-210 days
Disease resistance: strong resistance to disease
Water needed: requires sufficient water from 600-900mm
Recommended area of growing: Trans-Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Nakuru, Kiambu, Nyeri, Meru, and Nyandarua, as well as the tea zones of Central Kenya
Where to buy: online at organic farm at 420/= for 2kg, Simlaw 600/= for 2kg , agroduka for 650/= for 2kg
H614
Produced by Seedco and Kenya seeds company
Yield per acre:20-40 bags of 90kg per acre.
Maturity: 160-180 days
Disease resistance: high resistance to disease
Water needed: 800-1500mm per year.
Areas recommended: Trans-Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Kericho, Laikipia, Nyeri (upper parts), and Mt. Elgon slopes.
Where to buy: You can buy online on through simlaw 2kg at 600/=, agroduka at 2kg @ 650/= and local agrovet eg karim agrovet in Trans Nzoia 0113 041748
H626
Produced by kenya seed company
Maturity: 160-180 days
Yields per acre: 42 bags per acre
Water needed: 600-900mm per growing season
Areas recommended:Trans-Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Kiambu, Nyeri, Meru, Nyandarua, Eldoret, and Nakuru
Where to buy: Kenya seeds company for retail 2kg at 360/=https://kenyaseed.com/kenya-seed-company-seed-maize-available/ ,Simlaw 600/= for 2kg
Pioneer PHB 30G19
Produced by Pioneer Hybrid International (PHI)
Maturity: 110-130 days
Yield per acre: 45-50 bags of 90kg per acre
Rainfall needed: 1000-1800mm
Disease resistance: Good tolerance to disease
Where to grow: Western Kenya (Kakamega, Bungoma), Nyanza Region (Homa Bay, Migori), and parts of Central Province (Kiambu, Murang’a) and Eastern Province (Embu)
How to buy: agroduka 2kg for 600/=
WH507
Produced: Western Seed Company also known as aminika
Maturity: 120-140 days
Yield per acre: 30-35 bags of 90kg
Water needed: 500-900mm
Disease resistance:Good tolerance to MSV, GLS and blight
Where it does well: Western Kenya region, including areas like Kakamega, Bungoma, and Kisii and its also South Rift region, such as Nandi and Kericho, and has been found suitable for parts of Central and Eastern Provinces
Where to buy it: Local agrovet where it does well and western seed company 2kg @ 820/= or 0705 505505
SC Duma 419
Produced: Seed Co Kenya
Maturity: 90-100 days
Yield per acre: 32-38 bags per acre
Water needed: rainfall below 250mm
Disease resistance:excellent Grey Leaf Spot tolerance and good tolerance to Maize Streak Virus (MSV)
Where to grow: the Western and Nyanza regions, the South Rift, and parts of Central and Eastern Kenya, such as Kirinyaga, Muranga, Embu, and Machakos regions
Where to buy: Contact Seed Co Kenya at 0702 934938 and from local agrovet.
Sc Duma 43
Produced: Seed Co Kenya
Maturity: 85-100 days
Yield per acre: 30-35bags per acre
Water needed: 800-1200mm
Disease resistance: good disease tolerance, featuring excellent tolerance to Maize Streak Virus (MSV) and good tolerance to Grey Leaf Spot (GLS)
Where to grow: Rift Valley (e.g., Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Narok), Western Kenya (e.g., Kakamega, Bungoma, Nandi), and parts of Central (e.g., Kirinyaga) and Eastern (e.g., Meru, Machakos) regions
Where to buy: Online shop at agribora shop 830/= for 2kg and other agrovet around the area where it does well.
Medium attitude
H624
Produced by Kenya seeds company
Maturity: 120- 180 days
Yield per acre: 32-34 bags of 90kg per acre
Water needed: 800-1500mm per growing season
Pest resistance: moderate resistance to pests
Areas recommended:Bungoma, Kakamega, Bumula, and Lanet
Where to buy: Buy online through simlaw 2kg at 600/=, Jumia or in the local agrovet.
H520
Produced by Kenya seeds company and Simlaw
Maturity: 120-130 days
Yield per acre: 32 bags of 90kg
Water needed: 800-1500mm
Pest resistance: Partially tolerant to maize Streak Virus
Areas recommended: Western Kenya (Bungoma, Kakamega), parts of Nyanza (Migori, Kisii), Elgeyo Marakwet, and the coffee-growing areas of Central Kenya
Where to buy it: online through simlaw 600/= for 2kg, agropests @ 650/= for 2kg and at the local agrovet like felison agrovet in Kiambu 0729 223746 2kg @950/=
https://simlaw.co.ke/product-details/28/9
H516
Produced by Kenya seeds company
Maturity:100-120 days
Yield per acre: 28bags of 90kg
Water needed: 800-1500mm in planting season
Pests resistance: highly resistance to stalk borer and fall army worm
Recommended areas: Western Kenya, including counties like Bungoma and Kakamega, and parts of the Nyanza Region
Where to buy: You can purchase online through simlaw 2kg @ 600/=, agroduka 2kg @ 650/= or whatsapp 0712 723 830 to make an order Jumia also available in local agrovet like Felison agrovet in Kiambu 0729 223746 2kg @950/=
DK777
Produced by Dekelb
Maturity 4-5 months
Yield per acre35-40 bags og 90kg
Disease resistance: high tolerance to Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease
Water needed
wher e to grow: coastal region and medium attitude areas
Where to buy Iyale peak agrovet in Kilifi 0748624999 2kg @ 1000/=, agropest 1000/= for 2kg
DK7500
Produced by Dekalb
Maturity:115-125 days
Yield per acre: 40-45 bags of 90kg
Rainfall needed: 600-900mm
It is yellow grain
Disease resistance: good resistance to foliar diseases, specifically Grey Leaf Spot (GLS) and Northern Corn Leaf Blight (NLB/NCLB)
Where to grow: Trans-Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, and Nandi counties, as well as the slopes of Mt. Elgon
How to buy: Buy through agroduka 5kg for 2,700/=
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DK 8031
Produced:Dekalb
Maturity: 90-120days
Yield per acre: 34-38 bags of 90kg
Disease resistance: good tolerance to Leaf Rust, Maize Streak Virus (MSV), Grey Leaf Spot (GLS), and some forms of cob rot
Rainfall needed:900-1600mm
Where to grow:Makueni, Kitui, and Baringo counties
How to buy: you can buy online on agroduka at whatsapp 0712 723 830
WH402
Produced: Western Seed Company
Maturity: 120-140 days
Yield per acre: 40bags
Disease resistance: slight tolerance to Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN)
Where to grow: Western Kenya, the Nyanza Region, South Rift, Central Province, and parts of Eastern Province, including counties like Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia, Kisii, Homa Bay, Murang’a, and Embu
Where to buy: call Western Seed Company 0705 505505
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WH403
Produced: Western seed company
Maturity: 4-5 months
Yield per acre: 30-35 bags of 90kg
Water needed: 1200-1600mm
Disease resistance: Good tolerance to MSV, GLS and blight
Where to grow: Western, Central, Eastern, and Rift Valley provinces and Coastal region
Where to buy: western seed company
Sc Simba 61
Produced : This is a yellow variety produced by Kenya seed Co.
Maturity: 4-5 months
Yield per acre: 40-45 bags of 90kg
Water needed: 600-1200mm
Disease resistance:good resistance to diseases such as Grey Leaf Spot (GLS) and Maize Streak Virus (MSV)
Areas to plant : It is best suited for transitional zones and performs well in areas such as Trans-Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Nakuru, Kisii, and Bungoma
Where to buy: Available in local agrovet
SC Punda Milia
Produced: Seed Co Company
Maturity: 105 bags per acre
Yield per acre: 38-43 bags per acre
Water needed: 800-1200mm
Disease resistance: good tolerance to Grey Leaf Spot and some tolerance to Maize Streak Virus and other leaf spot diseases
Where to plant it: Does well around Bungoma, Kisii
Lowland Varieties
Ph1
Produced by Kenya seeds company
Maturity: 75 to 120 days
Yield per acre: 15bags of 90kg
Water needed : 500-8–mm
Recommended areas of growing:Kilifi, Kwale, Mombasa, and Mpeketoni districts
Where to buy: You can purchase online simlaw
at 600/= for 2kg
Ph4( Pwani hybrid)
Produced by Kenya seeds company
Maturity: 3-4 months
Water needed: 500-900mm
Yield per acre: 16- 18 bags of 90kg
Recommended area of growing: Kilifi, Mpeketoni, Hola, and Kwale, and parts of the Lake Region.
Where to buy: Online Simlaw and at the local agrovet.
Dh02
Produced by Kenya seeds company
Maturity: 75-85 days
Yield per acre: 18bags of 90kg
Water needed: 1000-1500mm
Disease resistance: resistance to maize streak virus (MSV) and gray leaf spot
Where to grow it: Makueni, Kitui, Machakos, Baringo, and parts of Siaya, Busia, Kisumu, and Nyando
Where to buy: available at the local agrovet within the growing areas.
WH101
Produced: Western Seed Company
Maturity: 90-120 days
Yield per acre: 20-25 bags of 90kg
Disease resistance: good resistance to key diseases, including Maize Streak Virus (MSV), Grey Leaf Spot (GLS), and blight
Pests tolerance: The variety shows good tolerance to Maize Streak Virus (MSV) and Gray Leaf Spot (GLS)
Where to grow: Kakamega, Bungoma, Homa Bay, Embu, and Machakos
Where to buy: Just click the link Western seed company to buy 2kg for 820/=
WH505
Produced: Western Seed Company
Maturity: 3-4 months
Yield per acre: 30-35 bags of 90kg
Water needed: 500-800mm
Disease resistance: good tolerance to key maize diseases, including Maize Streak Virus (MSV), Grey Leaf Spot (GLS), and blight.
Where it does well: Central, Eastern, and Western Kenya, including areas like Kirinyaga, Embu, Meru, and parts of the Rift Valley.
Where to buy: western seed company 2kg@ 820/=
KSDTV-01
Produced by Simlaw
Maturity: 70-100 days
Yield per acre: 18-20 bags of 90kg
Rainfall needed: 500mm
Disease resistance: tolerance to black rot disease
Where to grow: Makueni, Machakos, Kangundo, Siaya, Busia, Kibwezi, Kitui, Karachuonyo, Nyando, Kisumu, Bondo, and parts of Butere
How to buy: Simlaw 2kg @600/=
Sc Sungura 301
Produced: Seed Co Kenya
Maturity: 72 to 85 days
Yield per acre: 20-30bags per acre
Water needed: 250-600mm
Disease resistance: strong resistance to maize streak virus (MSV), gray leaf spot
Where to grow: Machakos, Makueni, Kitui,Taita Taveta, Kilifi,Baringo, parts of Nakuru,Garissa, Wajir, Lowland areas of Kisumu.
Where to buy: Organic farm @ 530/= for 2kg. Utaati agrovet in Makueni 0700 375961.
