Leldet

Leldet Limited is a seed company licensed with the Kenya Plants Health Inspectorate (KEPHIS). The company was borne out of recognition of a gap in the local seed market in Kenya, especially for marginal regions with limited moisture availability. Leldet’s focus on drought resistant “orphan crops” has resulted in a marked increase in the number of high performing varieties available on the market. These crops allow for successful holistic farming due to reduced resource requirement, increased ecological services such as nitrogen fixing, and increased yields.

“Leldet seeks to pioneer and avail to the local farmer modern certified orphan crops seed at affordable prices.”

Leldet at Nakuru Agricultural Show in 2006

Community Trainings

Leldet works with various community groups and NGOs to increase awareness of agricultural practices that improve smallholder productivity, particularly in agriculturally marginalized, semi-arid areas. These trainings give the communities an opportunity to learn about Leldet’s products especially improved varieties of orphan crops, and a platform to share their specific challenges and needs, which in turn informs our efforts.

Our outreach also includes exhibiting at regional agricultural shows. These give Leldet an opportunity to show the varieties on offer while also meeting a broad range of farmers and consumers.

Talking to farmers at the Nakuru Agricultural show, where our exhibit was 3rd in show

Small Packs

Leldet’s considerate approach goes beyond developing the seed market. By keenly engaging with her customers, Janey Leakey understood the limitations in most rural women’s purchasing capacity, especially when taking a risk such as trying a new seed. To combat this, and support the women in their quest to enhance their ability to feed their families, Leldet invented “Small Packs”.

By selling seed in much smaller volumes than other providers, Leldet empowers small holder famers to try new varieties and diversify their production.