Agriculture

Makueni County has introduced Kilimo Makueni, an innovative digital platform designed to elevate agricultural service delivery and empower farmers through real-time data.

The platform enables farmers to directly input real-time, accurate data on key agricultural issues and challenges, allowing the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development to provide precise support, interventions, inputs and training exactly where they are needed.

Open to the public, the system (https://kilimo.makueni.go.ke/views/) highlights common farmer interests, tracks progress made in the sector and guides the department on areas that require improvement.

In an era of rapid technological advancement, Kilimo Makueni is part of the county’s vision to make agricultural support accessible on any phone—enhancing information access, boosting decision-making and transforming agriculture for economic growth.

The County Government of Makueni is stepping up efforts to empower mango farmers and strengthen their access to export markets.

On Friday morning, a team of experts from KEPHIS and TradeMark Africa paid a courtesy call to CECM for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development, Elizabeth Muli, to review ongoing support programs for farmers.

Led by KEPHIS Plant Health Inspector Dorcas Mugambi and TMA’s Programmes Manager on Market Systems Elizabeth Gathogo, the meeting discussed the ongoing countywide programme on identifying and managing pests of concern, and training farmers on export market requirements.

The one-week exercise is being conducted across several wards, bringing training closer to farmers organized in groups.

While speaking to the team, CECM Muli reaffirmed the county’s strong commitment to equipping farmers with continuous training and support, enabling them to produce high-quality mangoes that meet the standards of competitive export markets.

As part of the exercise, KEPHIS officers working alongside county agriculture staff visited selected farms to assess zones mapped as area of low-pest-prevalence for mango production for export market.

During these field visits, farmers benefit from direct pest surveillance, tailored advisory services, and hands-on demonstrations on pest identification and management to improve the health and quality of their orchards.

Deputy Governor Makueni-H.E Lucy Mulili on Wednesday led a high-level delegation from Uruguay’s National Institute of Agricultural Research, accompanied by national government officials, on a tour of the Sand River feedlot farm in Sultan Hamud, an expansive 200-acre model showcasing advanced feedlot and fodder production systems.

Uruguay, renowned globally for its expertise in livestock genetics, feed technologies, and pasture-based beef systems, is exploring opportunities for collaboration to enhance feedlot performance, strengthen expert training, and establish demonstration sites in Kenya.

Makueni is currently implementing an animal feed strategy aimed at ensuring farmers have access to consistent, affordable, and high-quality feeds that support improved livestock growth and value chain.

During the visit, Uruguay’s Director for the Animal Health Platform commended Makueni for implementing effective policies that have fostered serious beef production.

Agriculture CECM Elizabeth Muli noted that the county has already invested in pasture development across Malili, Kibwezi West, Kathonzweni, Kilome, and parts of Kibwezi East, while also expanding disease surveillance and supporting farmers through subsidized livestock insurance.

With Kenya producing about 650,000 metric tonnes of mangoes annually, Makueni continues to stand out with an estimated 183,891 metric tonnes harvested in the 2024 season—affirming its position as one of the country’s leading mango hubs.

To strengthen this key sector, the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development partnered with Trademark Africa (TMA)—an EU-funded agency that supports fair trade and improved market access—and convened a two-day forum bringing together farmers, marketing agents and exporters.

The meeting aimed to streamline fair pricing across all levels of the mango value chain, link farmers with credible buyers, and organise producers by region to ease bulk collection and improve market coordination.

Speaking during the Thursday session, Agriculture CECM Liz Muli urged farmers to follow proper mango handling practices, noting that good post-harvest care is essential for meeting export standards.

With improved mango handling, stronger market linkages and fair pricing structures, farmers will be positioned to reap meaningful benefits from their orchards.

The Makueni’s sweet mango output includes 30.9 million kgs for farm consumption, 76.4 million kgs for urban markets, and 5.5 million kgs for export, reflecting its growing economic potential.

The attendance Chief Officers Japheth Kiminza and Dr. Victoria Kyallo underscored the county’s commitment—driven by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr‘s vision—to advancing economic empowerment and improving household incomes across Makueni.

The Government of Makueni County, through the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development (DAFLCD), together with Trademark Africa (TMA), held a meeting to advance the Kilimo Makueni Management Information System (MIS).

The platform is a new digital tool created to make agricultural services easier, faster, and more organized for farmers and officers.

The Kilimo Makueni MIS https://kilimo.makueni.go.ke brings farmer registration, extension services, agricultural programs, farm mapping and management dashboards into one simple and accessible system.

Its main aim is to improve how farmers get information, strengthen field work, and help the county make better decisions using accurate data.

Accompanied by Education and ICT CECM Japheth Mang’oka, Agriculture CECM Liz Muli explained that the platform will give farmers quick access to advice, updates, and county programs.

The CECM noted that extension officers will work more efficiently with digital reporting tools, while partners will use reliable, up-to-date data to strengthen coordination and align their support with county priorities.

With this improved information flow from the field to the Department, the county will also be able to rely on real-time insights to plan better, allocate resources wisely and monitor progress across the agricultural sector.

The meeting was attended by Chief Officers Dr. Victoria Kyallo, Japheth Kiminza, and TMA’s Rachael Wangeci.

Makueni traders are showcasing their innovations at the 25th East African Community (EAC) Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Trade Fair taking place at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi.

The event, organized by Kenya’s Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA) under the State Department for MSMEs, brings together exhibitors from across the region to promote trade, skills exchange and market linkages.

With shifting and unpredictable climate patterns affecting farming output in Makueni, the Department of Trade, Marketing and Industry is championing value addition as a key pathway for resilience and market growth—turning local produce into competitive, high-value products.

One standout exhibitor is Elizabeth Mulika a young agripreneur from Mbumbuni and founder of Lisa Farmer Service Center.

Her enterprise promotes Nyota beans—a high-nutrition, drought-tolerant variety. Through training, access to quality seeds and value-added products such as pre-cooked beans, bean flour and Nyota bean snacks, Elizabeth is empowering smallholder farmers to earn more while improving household nutrition.

Nyota beans are rich in iron and zinc, essential in strengthening immunity and supporting healthy growth.

Makueni’s participation reflects Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s vision of an economically empowered, innovation-driven county.

Makueni County on Friday took a major step toward sustainable agriculture with the official launch of the Makueni Agroecology Policy in Wote, presided over by Deputy Governor Makueni-H.E Lucy Mulili.

The new policy provides a framework to guide farmers in producing food sustainably while protecting the environment, conserving soil and water, and reducing dependence on expensive chemical inputs.

Agroecology, a farming approach that harmonizes with nature, emphasizes healthy soils, environmental conservation, and improved food and nutrition security through the use of locally available resources.

Mulili emphasized that the county’s future lies in responsible land stewardship, noting that the policy secures livelihoods today while safeguarding future harvests.

The launch, which brought together development partners, county officials, and farmers highlighted Makueni’s commitment to promoting sustainable agriculture and ensuring a resilient, food-secure future for its residents.

The event was also attended by Agriculture CECM Liz Muli and Members of County Assembly drawn from Agriculture Committee led by Francis Mutuku.