Agriculture

In the heart of Makueni’s arid Masongaleni Ward, a quiet transformation is unfolding—one green gram at a time. Traditionally grown in semi-arid regions for their resilience and quick maturity, green grams have long served as a reliable crop for farmers in Makueni County. Now, they are becoming symbols of hope and prosperity.

A 100-acre green gram farm in Kikuumini, tended by four pioneering farmers, has become the centerpiece of an initiative targeting European export markets, with Italy as the primary destination.

The project is spearheaded by Grain Connect, an organization committed to bridging smallholder farmers with global markets through sustainable and high-quality production practices. Under the guidance of Grain Connect Director Alessio Colussi, these farmers have been selected to lead the way in producing export-grade green grams.

The initiative is not only aimed at increasing exports, but about empowering local farmers with better farming techniques, improved market access and fairer pricing.

The initiative grants special attention to the quality of the produce, particularly the grain’s sprouting ability, a trait that has piqued interest among European consumers.

During a visit by Agriculture CECM Joyce Mutua on Wednesday, she reaffirmed the county’s commitment to agricultural development by announcing the establishment of a County Green Gram Aggregation Centre; A facility that will ensure the produce meets international hygiene and quality standards, preparing it for export.

“It’s important that we don’t just grow crops, but also grow opportunities,” said Mutua.

So far, 200 acres have been cultivated under the program in Masongaleni Ward, with expansion plans already in motion.

“This partnership is a gateway for our farmers to access global markets and improve their livelihoods.” added the CECM.

Makueni County Government has taken a major step towards transforming its horticultural sector by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TradeMark Africa (TMA) to establish an Export Supply Hub (ESH).

The deal, signed on Monday by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr, aims at reducing post-harvest losses, boost international market access and strengthen the region’s position as a top exporter of mangoes, avocados and French beans.

Makueni, one of Kenya’s leading mango producers, harvests approximately 245,000 metric tonnes of the fruit annually, with more than 40% going to waste due to inadequate market access. The newly signed partnership aims to change that by tapping into lucrative global markets, particularly in the European Union (EU).

The ESH, supported under the EU-funded Business Environment and Export Enhancing Programme (EU-BEEEP) and implemented by TMA, will serve as a centralized facility for aggregation, cold storage, processing and packaging. It will also feature digital systems to track produce origin and enhance buyer confidence through full traceability.

Speaking at the event, Governor Kilonzo said the Hub will be a game-changer for farmers and exporters in Makueni and neighboring counties including Machakos, Kajiado and Taita-Taveta.

“The Export Supply Hub will not only reduce losses but also create a sustainable ecosystem that meets international sanitary and phytosanitary standards,” noted the governor.

The facility, which will sit on land provided by the County Government, will integrate a cargo system linked to the Standard Gauge Railway for efficient and sustainable shipments. Aggregation centers across the Makueni and in the region will ensure a steady flow of produce to the Hub, while on-site inspection and certification services will help meet stringent export requirements.

TMA Country Director, Lillian Mwai-Ndegwa, lauded the initiative as a strategic step toward enhancing Kenya’s export readiness.

“This Hub is about much more than market access, but also building resilience, sustainability and competitiveness for our smallholder farmers,” she said.

As part of the agreement signed, farmers will be equipped with the skills and training needed to

meet export market demands through improved production and value addition.

The exercise was also attended by CECM Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development Ms. Joyce Mutua, Chief Officers Dr. Victoria Kyalo, Japheth Kiminza, County Solicitor Ms. Jennifer Kyumwa and East Africa Market Development Associates representative Subira Mukami and Eunice Ngina.

TOMATO FARMING IN MAKUENI: A Hidden Agribusiness Gem.

Tomato farming in Makueni holds untapped potential in agribusiness. Given the county’s semi-arid climate, farmers are advised to select disease-resistant seeds to maximize their yields.

In tomato farming, proper land preparation for adequate soil drainage and aeration, combined with regular weeding, minimizes competition for nutrients and water.

While farmers are advised to use organic manure or balanced fertilizers for healthy plant growth, mulching also helps retain soil moisture and control weeds.

As tomatoes mature, staking provides essential support to the plants, helping to prevent fruit rot. Additionally, farmers should practise timely pest and disease control to reduce losses.

Consistent water management practices are essential for irrigation, particularly during dry seasons, and tomatoes should be harvested at the appropriate maturity stage to maximize market value.

On Thursday, Makueni County’s Ward Agricultural Officers (WAOs) completed an intensive three-day training and practical sessions at the Kiboko Zoological Investigations and Efficacy Trial Centre, aimed at enhancing tomato farming practices to increase its productivity.

The training, conducted under the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), aimed to equip WAOs with essential knowledge and skills to support tomato farmers.

It covered key areas such as the economic importance of tomato farming, climate-related challenges, seed varieties, selection, and optimal growing conditions for improved productivity.

Participants gained insights into Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and food safety, as well as pest, weed and disease management in tomato farming. The training also focused on soil fertility and water management strategies to maximize yields.

Additionally, the program introduced mechanization solutions tailored for small-scale farmers to enhance efficiency, while also covering value addition, business management and effective techniques for training and supporting farmers in the field.

The WAOs were well-prepared to disseminate knowledge, promote best practices and support farmers in optimizing tomato farming.

This initiative is expected to enhance food security, improve incomes and strengthen the tomato value chain in Makueni County.

Mango farming in Makueni has grown into a profitable agribusiness, that has significantly improved the livelihoods of local farmers.

In an effort to boost its production and market access, the County Agriculture Department, in partnership with the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), on Thursday completed a three-day training at Makindu for 30 ward agricultural and extension officers.

The training, developed by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), focused on hands-on practical sessions and a farm visit, emphasizing on modern technologies and best practices to enhance mango farming.

Covering several areas to help improve mango production and value addition, the training introduced Participants to better production techniques, including grafting, pruning, irrigation and fertilization, to boost their yields.

The training also gave an insight on how to manage pests and diseases effectively with a major focus on market access and linkages, post-harvest handling and storage were emphasized to reduce losses and increase profitability.

Further, with respect to the prevailing regional climate, sustainable farming practices were introduced to promote climate resilience and environmental conservation measures with exposure to digital agriculture, where participants learnt the uses of ICT tools for farm management, marketing and accessing extension services.

Lastly, the importance of farmer groups and cooperatives was highlighted, encouraging collective marketing and improving access to financial services.

The trained officers will now pass on this knowledge to farmers in their respective wards, ensuring that mango farming continues to thrive in Makueni.

Iviani farm, located deep at Kwa Kathoka village, has emerged as an example of how cottage industries are propelling Makueni County’s economy to new heights.

This farm specializes in the production of crunchy dried mango, banana, and pixie crisps which find their market in Europe, Canada, and United States as well as the Kenyan market. In a season, the farm processes up to 150 metric tons of raw mango into these sought-after munchies.

The farm, founded by Faith Mumo and Benjamin Munyao, who are still in their youth, has become a key player in supporting the county government’s efforts to stabilize mango prices, provide a reliable market for local farmers, and reduce post-harvest losses.

On Wednesday, during a visit to the farm, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr, accompanied by County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture Joyce Mutua, lauded the initiative for its impact on the local economy. Governor Mutula pledged his commitment to supporting youth-led start-ups through the Makueni County Empowerment Fund, to build a vibrant private sector driven by young entrepreneurs.

Faith also serves as the CEO of BEFA FEEDS—a local livestock feed manufacturing company based at Kwa Kathoka Market Centre. BEFA FEEDS provides affordable, high-quality animal feeds to farmers in the region, further strengthening the agricultural value chain. The two ventures have created hundreds of job opportunities to locals both directly and indirectly.