By Monica Nashon
A farmer from Manga Sub-county, Nyamira County, has won a motorcycle in a seed promotion run by Bayer East Africa.
Richard Manyuro said he received the prize after purchasing Dekalb maize seeds and entering a promotional campaign.
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He bought two packets— Deekalb (DK) 833 and 831—from an agrovet shop in Kisii and followed instructions advertised on television.
“I saw on TV that after scratching and sending the code to 1393, one could win prizes. I did that, and after two weeks, I received a call informing me that I had won a motorcycle,” he said.
Manyuro formally received the motorcycle on Thursday, describing it as a practical addition to his farming work.
“This motorcycle will help me transport fertilizer to the farm, carry produce during harvest, and even take workers to the farm on time,” he said.
He added that he has used Dekalb maize seeds since 2015, citing stable yields even in dry seasons.
He urged farmers to use certified seeds and called for timely distribution, especially at the start of planting periods.
BAYER East Africa official Barnabas Maseki said the promotion, running from February 15 to April 30, is designed to reward farmers while addressing the circulation of counterfeit seeds.
“We realized that many farmers are unknowingly buying fake seeds that result in poor yields. Through this program, we are working to ensure farmers access genuine seeds,” he said.
He advised farmers to verify seed authenticity by scratching the code on the package and sending it to 1393.
Maseki also listed available Dekalb seed varieties, including 77, 833, 831 and 9089, as well as newer yellow maize options such as 7500 and 9701, suited to different growing conditions.
He emphasized proper land preparation and the use of appropriate inputs to improve yields.
The promotion offers farmers a chance to win prizes while promoting the use of certified seeds.
