Agriculture

Makueni County has taken a major step towards transforming its dairy sector after Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with New Kenya Co-operative Creameries (New KCC).

The partnership will guarantee dairy farmers a reliable market for their milk, while providing value addition, farmer training, improved breeding programmes, and up-to-date milk pricing information. The initiative aims to strengthen linkages between farmers and markets and unlock the county’s dairy value chain.

Speaking during the signing, New KCC Managing Director Joseph Malel Choge emphasized quality-based pricing, noting that milk from Makueni is expected to attract premium prices due to its superior quality and nutritional content.

The MoU is also expected to have a multi-sectoral impact on health, agriculture, finance, and education, including supplying nutritious milk to schools to improve learners’ health and nutrition.

Farmers from Kitise/Kithuki Ward on Tuesday benefited from an Agriculture and Livelihood Support Programme aimed at strengthening dairy farming, apiculture, and drought resilience to improve household incomes and agricultural productivity.

The programme saw the commissioning of a 1,000-litre solar-powered bulk milk cooler for the Kitise Farmers Cooperative Society, a move expected to benefit more than 600 dairy farmers through improved milk aggregation and reduced post-harvest losses.

Farmers also received 155 Langstroth beehives and modern beekeeping equipment, while vulnerable households were supported with livestock feed supplements to aid recovery from prolonged drought effects.

Speaking during the event, Deputy Governor Makueni-H.E Lucy Mulili said the County Government remains committed to investing in practical and sustainable interventions that increase productivity, create market opportunities, and improve farmers’ livelihoods.

Also addressing the gathering, County Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu praised the initiative, noting that empowering farmers and strengthening cooperatives is essential for rural economic growth and long-term prosperity.

Implemented through a partnership between the County Government, World Food Programme and National Drought Management Authority, the programme promotes sustainable, climate-smart and market-driven agriculture.

The event was attended by CECM Agriculture Damaris Kavoi, Chief Officer Livestock Japtheth Kiminza, MCA Kitise/Kithuki Ward Sebastian Muli and Clerk of the County Assembly Kevin Mutuku.

The Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the 𝙉𝒂𝙩𝒊𝙤𝒏𝙖𝒍 𝑨𝙜𝒓𝙞𝒄𝙪𝒍𝙩𝒖𝙧𝒂𝙡 𝙑𝒂𝙡𝒖𝙚 𝘾𝒉𝙖𝒊𝙣 𝘿𝒆𝙫𝒆𝙡𝒐𝙥𝒎𝙚𝒏𝙩 𝙋𝒓𝙤𝒋𝙚𝒄𝙩 (𝑵𝘼𝑽𝘾𝑫𝙋) on Thursday launched the Farmer-Led Irrigation Development programme in Marwa Watershed, Kiima Kiu Kalanzoni, Kilome Sub-County.

The project involves excavation of 30 farm ponds with a capacity of 250M3 each to support irrigation and improve food production. Thirty farmers from the watershed were also trained on mindset change and Sustainable Land Management practices in partnership with Christian Impact Mission (CIM).

Speaking during the launch, CECM Damaris Kavoi said the programme will strengthen climate-smart farming and improve household incomes through reliable water access for farming.

The event was attended by Chief Officer Japheth Kiminza and other officers in a programme aimed at enhancing food security and sustainable agriculture.

The Department of Agriculture in collaboration with development partners, on Wednesday held the Makueni Farmers’ Field Day at Kee Ward, bringing together more than 300 farmers for sensitization on agroecology farming practices aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation and food security.

The field day, themed 𝘈𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘈𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯: 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩𝘺 𝘚𝘰𝘪𝘭𝘴, 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘍𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺, brought together farmers, agricultural officers and stakeholders to showcase environmentally friendly farming methods that reduce dependence on harmful chemicals while improving farm productivity.

During the event, farmers were trained on the use of organic manure, mulching, crop rotation, intercropping, natural pest control and water harvesting technologies to improve soil health and conserve moisture.

Speaking during the field day, County Executive Committee Member Damaris Kavoi encouraged farmers to embrace agroecology practices, noting that the approach plays a key role in restoring soil fertility, conserving the environment and enhancing food production through safe and sustainable farming methods.

The event was attended by Chief Officer for Agriculture Japheth Kiminza, who noted that the adoption of agroecology practices would help lower production costs by reducing reliance on expensive farm inputs while improving yields and soil health. He reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to supporting farmers through strengthened agricultural extension services and the promotion of climate-smart agriculture across the county.

Key partners including Pelum Kenya, Biovision Africa Trust, Effective IPM Association, INADES-Formation and Agroecology Fund emphasized the need for farmers to embrace sustainable farming systems to enhance food security, improve nutrition and build resilience against climate change.

The Department of Agriculture, in partnership with Ahadi Achievers Empowerment – CBO on Thursday convened over 100 mango farmers from Mbooni Subcounty for a sensitization forum aimed at strengthening collaboration in mango farming and marketing.

Ahadi Achievers, a community-based organization championing climate action and sustainable farming, is spearheading initiatives to empower farmers through environmental conservation and improved productivity.

The programme also creates awareness on Farmer Producer Organizations through structured SACCO formation.

Addressing the farmers, CECM Damaris Kavoi noted that mango production remains a key economic driver in the county and urged farmers to unite in production and market access.

During the forum, farmers were sensitized on the importance of working together under a common farming goal and agreed to form a structured organization to strengthen modern farming practices and improve their bargaining power in the market.

This joint forum reflects the county’s commitment to empowering local farmers and advancing sustainable development goals.

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.