New potatoes, maize: Govt receives applications for 69 new plant varieties
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
- Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe confirmed the Agriculture ministry received applications to grant plant breeders' rights for 69 new varieties
- The applications cover a wide range of crops and ornamentals, from blueberries and strawberries to chrysanthemums and castor beans
- Interested parties have 60 days from the gazette notice to lodge representations before the authorised officer proceeds with processing
Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mutahi Kagwe, has published a gazette notice confirming that his ministry received applications for the grant of plant breeders' rights covering 69 plant varieties, spanning food crops, ornamental flowers, and oil crops.
The notice, published as Gazette Notice No. 12003 under the Seeds and Plant Varieties Act (Cap. 326) and dated 21st July 2026, lists applicants from Kenya, the Netherlands, Spain, the United States, Israel, and Australia, among others.
What Varieties Were Applied For?
The 69 applications span nine broad categories. Rose varieties account for the largest share, with more than 30 applications filed by breeders including W. Kordes Sohne, De Ruiter Intellectual Property B.V., Interplant Roses B.V., and Dummen Group B.V. Many of the rose breeders have operational links to Naivasha, Kenya's established cut-flower hub.
Chrysanthemum varieties follow closely, with Dutch breeder Deliflor Royalties B.V. and Dekker Breeding B.V. filing multiple applications. Blueberry varieties also feature prominently, with 11 applications submitted by firms including BB IP Repository LLC, Royal Berries S.L.U., Costa Exchange Ltd., and Mountain Blue Orchards PTY Ltd.
Other applications cover blackberries, strawberries, alstroemeria, flossflower, limonium, and an apple-pear variety. Two potato varieties, Lady Forte and Lady Luce, were submitted by Dutch company C. Meijer B.V. through local agent Shomoro Farms Supplies Ltd. Two maize varieties, ZT 9003 and ZU 8506, were filed by Bayer E. Africa Ltd. A single castor bean variety was submitted by Castera Ag. Ltd.
What Happens Next?
Under the Seeds and Plant Varieties (Plant Breeders' Rights) Regulations, any breeder, successor in title, or person with a substantial interest in any of the applications may submit representations to the Cabinet Secretary or the authorised officer.
Such representations must be lodged within 60 days of the notice's publication, either as an original or certified copy of a deed of assignment, letters of administration, or other documentary evidence.
Parties who wish to request a hearing must also do so within the same 60-day window. Where no representations are received within the deadline, the authorised officer will proceed to process the applications.
Plant breeders' rights in Kenya are governed by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), which administers the registration and protection of new plant varieties to encourage innovation in agriculture and horticulture.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.