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Agriculture

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.

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.