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Agriculture

GOVERNOR MUTULA COMMISSIONS KAVUTHU COLD STORE, UNVEILS PLAN FOR WARD COOPERATIVES

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has commissioned the Kavuthu Cold Store and Pack House in Mbitini Ward, a 10-metric-tonne facility aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and improving produce handling for local and export markets.

The project is expected to boost farmers’ incomes and support economic growth through increased agricultural trade.

During the event, the governor announced plans by the county government to champion the establishment of cooperative societies in every ward to address farmers’ challenges and strengthen agricultural productivity.

The governor, who is on a day-long development tour, was accompanied by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, Speaker Douglas Mbilu, CECMs, and MCAs.

He also met residents to discuss challenges affecting the community and possible solutions.

EQUIPPING AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION OFFICERS FOR GLOBAL MARKETS

Makueni’s thriving fruit sector continues to stand out as a key pillar for household income, job creation and economic empowerment.

With horticulture farming supporting thousands of families, efforts are now shifting towards strengthening farmers’ access to high-value international markets through improved standards and compliance.

To advance this agenda, the County Government, in partnership with TradeMark Africa with East Africa Market Development Associates as the market facilitator, on Tuesday launched a three-day intensive training for Agricultural Extension Officers on ways to enhance technical capacity in export compliance, traceability systems, pest management, food safety and quality assurance within the horticulture value chain.

Facilitated by experts from Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service(KEPHIS), HCD, certification bodies and International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), the training seeks to bridge critical gaps that have affected export performance and market confidence in recent years.

Opened on Tuesday by CECM Damaris Kavoi, the training is anchored in the 2025 partnership agreement between the County and TradeMark Africa, and reflects the broader commitment of Mutula Kilonzo Jr. to promote sustainable, market-driven agriculture and increase farmer earnings through competitive global trade.

MAKUENI HANDS OVER MODERN FARM EQUIPMENT TO BOOST FRUIT FARMING.

The County Government has handed over modern agricultural equipment to trained service providers under the Sema Kenya 2 Project in a move aimed at strengthening mango and avocado farming.

The initiative, funded by the European Union through CIHEAM Bari is targeting wards known for high mango and avocado fruit production.

During the exercise led by CECM Nicholas Nzioka and attended by Felistus Mutune, beneficiaries received knapsack sprayers, pruning saws, aluminium ladders, loopers, fruit pickers and secateurs to support farmers with turn on efficient and modern farm services.

Nzioka noted that the equipment will improve productivity, reduce post-harvest losses and increase household incomes in line with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s development agenda.

26,000 MAKUENI YOUTH TO BENEFIT FROM LIVESTOCK VALUE CHAIN PROJECT

Makueni County is set to empower at least 26,000 young people through a transformative livestock value chain project aimed at creating jobs and improving livelihoods.

The five-year initiative, dubbed Creating Shared Value in the Livestock Sector with Young People in Kenya’s ASALs (CASHA), is led by the Food and Agriculture Organization and funded by the Mastercard Foundation. The programme spans 15 counties, with Makueni positioned as a key beneficiary.

The initiative seeks to unlock opportunities for youth across the livestock sector, making agriculture a sustainable and attractive source of income.

Speaking during a meeting with FAO Kenya Assistant Country Representative Khamisi Williams, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. welcomed the programme, reaffirming the county’s commitment to youth-driven agricultural growth.

He emphasized that Makueni will actively support and incentivize the initiative to ensure maximum impact for local youth. Williams commended the county’s proactive leadership, noting that Makueni’s strong collaboration will be critical in delivering lasting benefits and expanding employment opportunities.

The delegation also included Hon. Francis Mutuku, Chairperson of the County Assembly Committee on Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperative Development.

BUILDING SKILLS FOR COMPLIANCE AND COMPETITIVE EXPORTS

Proper knowledge on pest prevalence, export licensing processes, farm production certification and horticulture traceability remains essential for farmers to unlock full value from their produce.

In Makueni County, mango, orange and avocado farmers increasingly require this information to meet export standards and access global markets.

It is against this backdrop that a capacity-building forum for agricultural extension officers has entered its second day, focusing on strengthening extension systems for export readiness, compliance, and market access.

The forum, attended by Ag. CECM for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development Damaris Kavoi is organized by TradeMark Africa through East Africa Market Development Associates.

Facilitated by experts from KEPHIS, HCD, and ICIPE, the training aims to equip officers with practical skills to guide farmers in meeting export requirements.

Kavoi noted that empowering extension officers is key to transforming farmers into competitive exporters.

The forum was also attended by Chief Officers Japheth Kiminza Mutuku and Felistus Mutune

EMPOWERING MAKUENI FARMERS FOR EXPORT SUCCESS

Makueni County is stepping up efforts to position its farmers for global markets through a focused capacity-building training for Extension Officers.

On Tuesday, a section of Agricultural Officers started a three days’ programme, organized by TradeMark Africa (TMA) through EAMDA in collaboration with the County Government, to sharpen skills in export compliance, traceability and quality assurance.

Delivered by experts from KEPHIS, HCD, certification bodies and ICIPE, the training addresses key gaps in meeting international standards; particularly in the mango value chain, which has faced recent export hurdles.

The programme anchored in the 2025 MOU between the County and TMA, aims to boost farmer incomes and restore market confidence.

It also reflects the commitment of Mutula Kilonzo Jr. to empower farmers through sustainable, market-driven agricultural growth.

MAKUENI BOOSTS IRRIGATION DRIVE TO EMPOWER FARMERS

The Government of Makueni County, in partnership with the National Agriculture Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), on Thursday held an Irrigation Accelerator Platform forum aimed at strengthening irrigation adoption and improving farmers’ incomes.

Attended by Deputy Governor Makueni-H.E Lucy Mulili, the meeting brought together farmers, private sector players, government officials and development partners to unlock challenges and attract investment in irrigation.

The initiative focuses on helping smallholder farmers increase production, access markets and add value to their produce.

Speaking at the forum, Mulili emphasized the county’s commitment to practical solutions noting that investing in irrigation is paramount to secure livelihoods and make farming profitable and sustainable.

The forum was also attended by Chief Officers Japheth Kiminza and Felistus Mutune alongside farmer-led representatives and irrigation officers.

STRENGTHENING FARMERS’ SACCOS.

Saccos remain vital engines of farmer prosperity, enabling savings, affordable credit access and collective investment that strengthens livelihoods and local economies.

It is in this premise that the Cooperative Development Directorate, through the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), has rolled out a targeted monitoring program to strengthen cooperative performance across the county.

The monitoring program, which kicked off on Monday at Mavindini Ward Sacco and Muvau/Kikumini Farmers Savings and Credit Cooperative Society Limited, brought together Sacco leadership and officers in open, constructive discussions to assess governance structures, financial operations, savings trends, interest rates, and the level of member participation, with a focus on strengthening overall performance and accountability.

The initiative targeting eleven Saccos drawn from across the county seeks to sharpen efficiency, grow membership, and build stronger financial foundations set to benefit and reinforce their role as drivers of inclusive agricultural investment and rural transformation.

MAKUENI ATC, KWAKATHOKA MARKS ST GRADUATION

Seventy-two graduands were on Thursday awarded certificates during the inaugural graduation ceremony of the Makueni Agricultural Training Centre (MATC) at Kwakathoka, marking a significant milestone in strengthening agricultural skills in the county.

The ceremony, led by Deputy Governor H.E. Lucy Mulili, saw the trainees graduate in Dairy Farm Management, Poultry Kienyeji Production, and Horticulture Production.

The training combines school-based learning with field-based practical sessions and is examined and certified under the TVET Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council (TVET CDACC), with support from development partners.

Mulili encouraged the graduands to put the knowledge and skills acquired into practice to unlock opportunities for economic empowerment.

The event was attended by Agriculture Ag. CECM Damaris Kavoi, Chief Officers Felistus Mutune and Japheth Kiminza, County Agriculture Sectoral Committee members and partners.

The ceremony also recognized 21 farmer groups comprising 507 farmers who completed field-based training in agricultural production, further strengthening Makueni’s vision of becoming a hub of skilled and knowledgeable farmers.