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Agriculture

GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO Jr. FORMS TASKFORCE TO REFORM MAKUENI MANGO VALUE CHAIN

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has established a taskforce to overhaul the mango value chain in Makueni County, in a bid to curb chronic post-harvest losses and improve earnings for farmers.

The team established under an Executive Order number 2 of 2026 has been mandated to design and spearhead reforms aimed at eliminating mango wastage after harvest, stabilizing farm-gate prices and ensuring more predictable incomes for growers across the county.

The taskforce will also propose measures to reduce farmers’ reliance on brokers, a long-standing concern that has weakened producers’ bargaining power and exposed them to volatile prices.

Among its core responsibilities will be preparing the county’s mango sector for export markets by strengthening quality standards, improving coordination among actors in the supply chain and enhancing aggregation and supply systems.

The team is further expected to develop a framework to ensure sustainable operations at the Makueni County Mango Processing Plant, a county-run facility established to promote value addition and reduce fruit wastage during peak harvest seasons.

Governor Kilonzo has directed the taskforce to submit a comprehensive report within three weeks outlining actionable recommendations and an implementation roadmap for transforming the sector.

Makueni County is one of Kenya’s leading mango-producing regions, but farmers have for years struggled with high post-harvest losses, fluctuating prices and heavy dependence on middlemen.

The newly appointed taskforce comprises Mr. Nzioka King’ola, Eng. Josphat Musyoki, Eng. Petronila Ogut, Mr. John Thiong’o, Ms. Caroline Ngina and Ms. Dorcus Mutua.

SIX DAIRY COOPERATIVES RECEIVE OVER KSH 7.9 MILLION TO CUSHION FARMERS AGAINST DROUGHT

Six dairy farmers’ cooperative societies in Makueni have received a cumulative KSh. 7,975,000 under the Drought Mitigation Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) of the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) to strengthen livestock farmers’ resilience during the ongoing dry spell.

The grants, issued on different days throughout the week, are intended at improving farmers’ access to quality livestock feeds and veterinary inputs following the failed October–November–December rains.

Through the intervention, cooperatives will procure and resell essential inputs such as hay bales, mineral licks, dairy and range cubes, cotton hulls and dewormers to sustain milk production and protect farmer incomes.

Speaking during a cheque issuance to Kibwezi Dairy Farmers Cooperative on Wednesday, Agriculture CECM Elizabeth Muli said the initiative will help stabilize dairy productivity and ensure livestock remain well nourished as farmers await the next rainy season. She urged the cooperatives to adhere strictly to grant guidelines and ensure prudent use of the funds.

Other beneficiary cooperatives include Kitise Farmers Cooperative, Makiou Farmers Dairy Cooperative, Twakima Farmers Cooperative, Kibwezi East Farmers Cooperative and Kalawa Dairy Farmers Cooperative.

EMPOWERING FARMERS THROUGH FIELD-LED LEARNING

A team of 38 Community Based Facilitators (CBFs) and 28 Agriculture Extension Officers supported through National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) are undergoing an intensive training on Farmer Field and Business Schools (FFBS) methodology; an approach for accelerating farmer adoption of Technology, Innovation and Management Practices (TIMPs).

The training equips CBFs—local farmers trained as peer educators—to lead FFBS sites within their wards, turning them into hubs for practical learning, innovation and shared problem-solving.

Speaking during a visit to the training on Wednesday, Agriculture CECM Elizabeth Muli said the programme focuses on establishing FFBS sites, training of trainers, value addition, market linkages through farmer producer organizations and regular field support to ensure impact at farm level.

Drawn from across the county, the participants will engage farmers in hands-on, participatory sessions that help boost productivity along key agricultural value chains while sharpening essential business and market skills.

The visit was also attended by Ag. Chief Officer Felistus Mutune and Directors Mary Muteti, Esther Kivindyo, and Dr. Musyoki—underscoring the county’s commitment to farmer-centered growth.

THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE HOSTS FORUM WITH TRADEMARK AFRICA TO INTEGRATE KILIMO MAKUENI INTERGRATED SYSTEM (KMIS) WITH iSOKO

The Department of Agriculture, led by CECM Elizabeth Muli, on Wednesday hosted a collaborative forum with Trademark Africa to strengthen digital solutions for farmers through the integration of the Kilimo Makueni Integrated System (KMIS) with iSOKO.

KMIS is Makueni County’s digital agriculture platform designed to link farmers directly with extension officers, agronomic advice and production data, supporting informed and timely farm decisions.

Whereas, iSOKO is an information and market-digital platform currently in seven African countries that seeks to create a unified digital trade ecosystem through linkages to market, trade information and business support services across borders .

The integration will enhance service delivery, improve market access, exploration of alternative markets through intra-africa trade and empower farmers with reliable, real-time information to grow productivity and incomes.

MAKUENI STRENGTHENS EXPORT TIES TO GROW FARMER INCOMES

The County Government of Makueni has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding horticultural exports after a high-level review meeting with TradeMark Africa partners on the progress of the Makueni Export Supply Hub (ESH) programme.

The meeting, hosted by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, brought together key development partners, including Rodrigo Romero Van Cutsem of the EU Delegation to Kenya, Amarins Gerlofsma from the Embassy of the Netherlands, Anne Nalo of the British High Commission, and Joan Karanja from the Embassy of Sweden.

Mulili noted that since the partnership was signed in May 2025, the programme has delivered tangible results—training thousands of farmers on Good Agricultural Practices, strengthening pest control through fruit fly traps, operationalising packhouses, and improving direct linkages between farmer groups and export markets.

The delegation toured Greenfields Demonstration Farm and Iviani Farm in Muvau/Kikumini Ward, before visiting the Kibwezi Packhouse, where they witnessed progress in certification readiness, aggregation, value addition, and youth-led agribusinesses.

Mango, which accounts for 75 percent of the county’s fruit production and supports more than 71,000 farm families, remains the anchor of the export strategy, with improved standards compliance helping reduce post-harvest losses and raise farmer earnings.

The visit—attended by TradeMark Africa Country Director Lillian Mwai, CECM for Agriculture Elizabeth Muli, and Acting Chief Officer Felistus Mutune—reaffirmed the county’s focus on expanding Areas of Low Pest Prevalence, strengthening certification systems, and diversifying export markets.

Through these strategic partnerships, Makueni continues to position itself as a competitive horticultural export hub, delivering jobs, higher incomes, and inclusive growth in line with the development agenda of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.

KALAWA DAIRY FARMERS RECEIVE KSH 850,000 DROUGHT MITIGATION GRANT

Kalawa Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society Ltd on Monday received a KSh 850,000 Drought Mitigation Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) under the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), aimed at strengthening dairy farming resilience during the ongoing dry season.

Handed over by Livestock Chief Officer Japheth Kiminza, the grant is intended to support farmers in maintaining milk production amid anticipated feed shortages following the failed October–November–December (OND) rains.

Speaking during the event, Kiminza said the funds will be used to procure high-quality animal feeds to cushion farmers through the current dry spell and into the next rainy season.

He further said the intervention seeks to stabilize dairy productivity, secure livestock nutrition, and protect household incomes.

Beneficiary farmers were urged to strictly adhere to grant implementation guidelines to ensure prudent use of the funds and full accountability.

STRENGTHENING FARM RESILIENCE THROUGH STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

Officials from the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development on Wednesday met key development partners AGRA-Sustainably Growing Africa Food Systems, FIPS Africa, and the East African Grain Council—to align priorities ahead of the rollout of a major agricultural resilience programme.

The engagement focused on deepening collaboration, harmonising implementation strategies, and advancing farmer-centred solutions. The meeting was held as the County prepares to launch REGAIN, a three-year initiative set to benefit at least 65,000 smallholder farmers and 103 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Makueni County.

Implemented with support from AGRA, FIPS Africa and the Eastern African Grain Council, REGAIN seeks to boost incomes and strengthen resilience among agricultural producers through practical food loss reduction solutions. The programme will promote modern post-harvest handling technologies, improved storage systems and structured market linkages to reduce losses, enhance food security and raise profitability along the value chain.

County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture and Livestock, Elizabeth Muli, reaffirmed Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. commitment to work closely with development partners to ensure the project’s success and long-term sustainability.

She noted that strengthening agribusiness networks and addressing post-harvest losses would significantly improve farmer earnings and build resilience in the sector.

AGRA Country Acting Director, Dr Davies Muthini said strong partnerships and practical loss-reduction solutions are critical to transforming food systems and unlocking higher productivity and income growth for farmers.

The event was also attended by Ag. Agriculture Chief Officer Felistus Mutune, FIPS Africa Peter Githiri, EAGC’s Executive Director Gerald Masila among other officers.

MAKUENI HOSTS INDIAN IRRIGATION TECH GIANT FOR TRANSFORMATIVE AGRICULTURE PARTNERSHIP

Makueni County on Thursday welcomed a high-level delegation from Balson Polyplast Pvt. Ltd., a leading global irrigation technology company based in India, to explore strategic areas of collaboration aimed at transforming agriculture and sustainable energy in the region, like agricultural production,water management, fertigation, and renewable energy solutions including solar and wind power.

Speaking at the Makueni County Headquarters in Wote, Sitansu Sekhar Sarangi, Chief Operating Officer and head of the delegation, emphasized the importance of embracing green revolution technologies to combat the growing threat of climate change on global agriculture.

He pledged the company’s commitment to developing a 100-acre irrigation technology pilot and demonstration project in Makueni County.

Deputy Governor, Lucy Mulili described the proposed irrigation technology as a timely game changer in advancing food security—not only in Makueni but across Kenya.

Her sentiments were echoed by Elizabeth Muli CECM Agriculture, Japheth Mang’oka, Ag. CECM for Water, and Assembly Majority Leader Kisungi Katete, who reaffirmed the county’s commitment to innovative solutions that enhance sustainable development.

CECM Finance, Damaris Kavoi, and Tulimani MCA Kyalo Mumo also attended the meeting.

KITUI BENCHMARKS MAKUENI ON DIGITAL FARM EXTENSION

A delegation from Kitui County on Monday benchmarked digital agricultural extension services in a courtesy visit to Makueni County, aimed at strengthening technology-driven service delivery to farmers.

The delegation, led by Kitui’s Agriculture CECM Dr. Stephen Mbaya Kimwele, was hosted by Makueni’s counterpart Liz Muli at the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development.

Technical and policy teams from both counties shared experiences on e-extension models, digital farmer registration, real-time advisory services, data use for decision-making, climate-smart agriculture and market linkages.

The discussions also touched on value chains such as mango, highlighting how digital platforms can support timely advisory and reduce post-harvest losses.

Also attended by Chief officers Jonathan Kambi (Livestock – Kitui), Japheth Kiminza (Livestok – Makueni) and Felistus Mutune (Agriculture – Makueni), the engagement is an indication that inter-county collaboration is a pathway to improved productivity, resilience and farmer incomes through modernized extension systems.

MAKUENI COUNTY EYES GLOBAL MARKETS WITH NEW HORTICULTURE PACKHOUSE PLANS

Makueni County has stepped up efforts to improve the handling and marketing of horticultural produce amid rising production and recurring seasonal gluts.

A joint team from the county’s Departments of Agriculture and Transport and Infrastructure on Thursday conducted a benchmarking visit to the Horticulture Crops Development (HCD) Centre at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to assess requirements for establishing and operating a standard pack house.

The delegation, led by Agriculture CECM Elizabeth Muli and Transport and Infrastructure CECM Eng. Peter Mumo, held consultations with HCD officials on pack house design standards and best practices in produce handling that meet international quality and export requirements.

HCD Deputy Director for Regulation and Compliance Collins Otieno said proper produce protection is critical for maintaining quality, meeting export standards, and enabling efficient aggregation to enhance market competitiveness.

Makueni County currently operates packhouses and cold rooms at Kalawani, Kavuthu, and Kalongo, and plans to strengthen market linkages while developing a mega packhouse to reduce post-harvest losses and improve farmer returns.