Register a new crop variety (NPT/DUS testing) or apply for plant breeders' rights (KEPHIS)
Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service · sources read 3 Oct 2026
Apply online on KEPHIS's seed.kephis.org system and pay through eCitizen. New varieties go through DUS and National Performance Trials, usually 2 to 3 years, before they can be listed and sold; plant breeders' rights applications are accepted any time.
- Fee
- A Plant Breeder's Rights application costs USD 200 (or the same in KSh) per application.
- How long
- Usually 2 to 3 years (DUS about 1 year, NPT 1 to 2 years)
- Where
- Online on the KEPHIS SC&PVP system (seed.kephis.org), paying through eCitizen. Help: KEPHIS Headquarters, Oloolua Ridge, Karen, Nairobi (0709 891 000, pvp@kephis.org)
What you need
- Online application with detailed variety information
- Enough seed samples that meet quality standards (for DUS, enough seed for two seasons)
- Breeding history and a description of the variety's traits
- Data from preliminary trials, if you have it
Steps
- Create your application on the KEPHIS seed and plant variety system (seed.kephis.org) and pay through eCitizen.
- Apply for NPT and DUS in the window: 1 December to 15 February (long rains) or 15 July to 31 August (short rains). Plant breeders' rights applications are open all year.
- Submit your seed samples. KEPHIS gives the variety a code so testing is unbiased.
- KEPHIS runs the trials in several locations over at least 2 growing seasons, comparing your variety with existing ones.
- The National Performance Trials Committee reviews the results (December and April/May) and the National Variety Release Committee releases varieties (usually June). Released varieties go on the National Variety List.
Watch out
- You cannot legally sell or distribute a variety in Kenya until it is registered and on the National Variety List.
- Fees are set in US dollars and paid in the shilling equivalent. NPT costs USD 1,200 per variety per season.
- Plant breeders' rights: USD 200 per application (vetted in 5 working days), plus DUS testing (USD 600 per variety) and a grant fee once the variety passes.
Who can apply
- Breeders: public institutions, private companies or research organisations with a new plant variety.
Official sources (3)
- Plant Variety Protection kephis.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- KEPHIS Service Charter (English), Revision 08 Issue 01 kephis.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- SC & PVP Management System seed.kephis.org · read 3 Oct 2026