Agriculture

With the rains already setting in, timely fertilizer is more crucial than ever for farmers preparing their fields.

The Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development has begun delivering subsidized fertilizer to satellite depots, providing farmers with timely support as the planting season gets underway.

This follows an MoU between the County Government and the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) to ensure fertilizer reaches farmers closer to their homes.

The distribution is based on local demand and crop acreage to ensure every farming area receives what is needed for the October–November–December season.

This program is prioritizing the distribution of planting fertilizer in the first weeks of November, with Agricultural Extension Officers already on the ground offering guidance to farmers on proper application to boost yields and improve soil health.

Once planting ends, the county will request additional top-dressing fertilizers to strengthen crops through the growth phase.

During the first phase of delivery, fertilizer has already begun reaching Nunguni, Mukuyuni, Kikima and Kasikeu depots, with more scheduled to follow across the county, as farmers are encouraged to visit their nearest depot for guidance and collection

At just 30 years old, Assumpta Mwikali from Mavindini Ward, Makueni County, is rewriting her life story.

Once a street poet and spoken word artist in Nairobi—earning coins from small performances to survive—Assumpta today stands out as a thriving agripreneur whose work is transforming not only her own life but also that of other young people in her community.

Her turning point came when life in the city proved unsustainable, pushing her to return home. Spotted by a Ward Agricultural Officer, she was encouraged to attend a World Food Programme (WFP) training in Naivasha.

That marked the beginning of a new chapter. Soon after, with support from Makueni’s Department of Agriculture, she joined the Agricultural Training Centre (ATC) at Kwa Kathoka to study horticulture production.

Out of this training, she founded Young Farmer Solutions, a youth-led initiative focusing on agroecology, soil health, climate change mitigation and food sovereignty. Her skills caught the attention of Africa Harvest, which contracted her to farm green grams.

The income from that venture enabled her to set up a modern nursery that now produces high-quality seedlings.

Nursery Innovation for a Changing Climate:

Assumpta’s nursery stands out because of its innovative use of soilless media such as vermiculite and cocopeat. This technology produces strong, disease-free seedlings with deep roots that adapt quickly to new environments.

For farmers in arid and semi-arid regions like Makueni, this means seedlings that require less water, grow faster and withstand harsh conditions—boosting food security while helping farmers save on costs.

Through this model, she is not just producing seedlings but also training youths, schools and organizations on climate-smart agriculture.

By demonstrating that agribusiness can be dignified, modern and profitable, she is inspiring a new generation in Mavindini Ward to view farming as a career of choice.

A Community Model of Growth:

Her work goes beyond farming. Assumpta actively participates in Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), a community-based saving model where members make weekly contributions to a shared fund.

This initiative is empowering rural communities to access capital for small businesses without relying on external loans, reducing economic dependence and fostering self-reliance.

Farmer Service Centres – A Bigger Picture:

Assumpta’s story reflects the power of the Farmer Service Centre (FSC) model, a county initiative that identifies gaps in agribusiness, creates demand, links farmers to markets and offers training across various value chains.

She is one of 30 graduates across Makueni County, each pursuing different agricultural enterprises—from livestock, poultry, apiary to fruit processing—underlining the county’s efforts to create youth-led, sustainable farming enterprises.

During a recent tour of her nursery, Makueni CECM for Agriculture, Liz Muli, praised her efforts and encouraged more young people to take up agribusiness.

Speaking with hope, Assumpta shared: “This farm is more than just my livelihood; it’s a second chance at life. With the support of the county and partners, I’ve been able to turn my passion into a solution for young people in my community. My dream is to see every youth believe that agribusiness is not just farming—it is dignity, innovation, and opportunity.”

To keep her agribusiness running, Assumpta has invested in simple but effective water solutions.

Using a water buzzer, she draws water from a nearby river and stores it in a farm pod system that maintains her nursery and a vibrant pawpaw plantation—showcasing how creativity and smart solutions can turn scarcity into sustainable farming.

Looking Ahead:

Assumpta now dreams of constructing and certifying her nursery to ensure even wider access to quality seedlings and opportunities for young farmers.

From a poet with no home to a farmer with a vision, her journey shows that agriculture is not just a livelihood—it is a lifeline, a tool for innovation and a path to community transformation.

Assumpta Mwikali’s inspiring journey from a street poet to a thriving agripreneur reflects the vison of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. county’s agenda of youth and women empowerment, food security and economic transformation.

Extension officers serve as the vital link between farmers and modern agricultural knowledge, helping communities adopt better practices and improve productivity.

Their work is key in ensuring farmers access expert guidance that translates to higher yields and sustainable livelihoods.

In Makueni County, where farming remains the backbone of the local economy, the County Government has established a strong network of extension officers spread across wards and sub-counties under the directorates of Agriculture, Livestock, and Cooperative Development.

On Wednesday, over 100 extension officers drawn from across the county convened at Kwa Kathoka Agricultural Training Centre (ATC) to deliberate on strategies aimed at strengthening service delivery and promoting modern farming techniques.

By enhancing these critical services, the Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development Department has launched a county free-toll-line ( 0800-722 715 )to enable farmers reach extension officers and get technical advise.

Speaking during the meeting, CECM Liz Muli told the officers that the initiative aims to boost agricultural production, raise household incomes and combat food insecurity in line with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr‘s vision.

The meeting reaffirmed the government’s commitment to empowering farmers and ensuring Makueni continues to thrive as an agricultural hub.

Rabies is a fatal viral disease that affects both people and animals by attacking the brain and nervous system. It spreads mainly through bites or scratches from infected animals, especially dogs.

Once symptoms appear, rabies cannot be cured — but vaccination remains the safest and most effective way to stop its spread.

To protect communities from this life-threatening disease, the County Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development has intensified its ongoing rabies vaccination campaign in wards with high cases of rabies.

So far, 1,542 dogs from 910 households in Muvau/Kikumini Ward and 1,357 dogs from 728 households in Wote/Nziu Ward have been vaccinated.

The county aims to vaccinate 20,000 dogs in the seven wards, ensuring safer and healthier communities.

This initiative aims to ensure safer, rabies-free communities where humans and animals coexist in harmony.

#RabiesFreeMakueni#HealthyCommunity

Bee keeping is fast emerging as a promising economic venture in the lower parts of Makueni, offering residents a sustainable source of income.

The Department of Agriculture has shown great commitment in promoting modern apiary practices to empower locals and boost honey production across the region.

On Tuesday, the department distributed 51 modern beehives to three community groups made up of more than 80 members, with each group receiving 17 hives.

Speaking during the exercise, group chairperson Peter Mwanzia Mumo expressed confidence that the new hives would significantly increase honey yields. He urged more residents, especially those with vast land, to embrace bee keeping as a profitable enterprise.

Agricultural extension officers have been actively training farmers on modern hive management, bee handling, and hygienic honey extraction methods.

The initiative seeks to increase productivity and enhance household incomes, in line with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr‘s vision of an economically empowered Makueni.

More than 15,000 farmers in Makueni County have received certified maize and bean seeds from the county government under the 2024/2025 budget.

The distribution, concluded on Friday, targeted six wards;Wote-Nziu, Tulimani, Mbooni, Mukaa, Mbitini, and Kee, where residents had prioritized grain value chain development during public participation forums.

Speaking at the Wote-Nziu ward forum, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili urged farmers to prepare their land early and embrace dry planting in readiness for the October–December rains, which the forecast predicts will be below normal and poorly distributed. She stressed that early preparation will be key in maximizing harvests despite the expected erratic weather.

Area MCA Felix Mateso emphasized that best practices will ensure farmers reap maximum yields and strengthen food security in the county.

Agriculture CECM Elizabeth Muli also encouraged farmers to adhere to good agricultural practices as guided by extension officers, noting that quality seeds alone are not enough without proper farming methods.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture, is designed to boost food production by providing quality inputs suited to different agro-ecological zones and farmer preferences.

Utheu wa Aka Self-Help Group was started in 1998 in Kikumbulyu South by 22 women, mostly widows, with a simple idea—pooling just Ksh 5 weekly to support each other.

What began as a merry-go-round to buy kitchenware, household items and even build homes for vulnerable members soon grew into something bigger.

Before devolution, the group received a grant of Ksh 120,000 from the Njaa Marufuku Kenya initiative.

Instead of spending the money at once, they wisely invested in dairy goats to fight famine and provide their families with nutritious milk.

With guidance from county livestock extension officers, they later adopted Toggenburg goat farming, which soon caught the eye of agricultural experts in the county.

Their goats earned recognition and were presented at the Makueni Agricultural Show, where they won top awards for three consecutive years.

Inspired by their success, the group advanced to the Nairobi International Trade Fair in 2022, winning trophies for champion male and female meat goats.

While visiting their stand at this year’s International Trade Fair, County Assembly Speaker Mbilu Douglas and the Agriculture Sectoral Committee commended the group for their remarkable success in scooping two champion trophies and 26 awards.

Beyond trophies, goat farming has become a steady source of income, transforming livelihoods and aligning with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr ’s vision to empower women and youth.

Additionally, as a result of sustaining excellent performance, two members of the group have earned a slot in officiating at the international trade fair’s goat section.