Agriculture

County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Joyce Mutua, has announced plans to revive the Makueni Agricultural Show.

The return of the show will provide a national platform for Makueni farmers to showcase their best practices and technologies in agriculture, Mutua said.

Mutua said the agricultural expo will enhance the marketing aspect of the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), a five- year initiative funded by the World Bank through the national government.

She made the announcement on Thursday during a validation forum on the targeted value chains funded under NAVCDP in Kiu, Makindu ward.

The Government of Makueni County through National Agricultural Value Chain Development Program (NAVCDP) is spearheading massive investment in five key agricultural value chains namely: Bee keeping, dairy, horticulture (tomato farming), mango production and poultry farming.

The overarching goal of this program according to Livestock and Fisheries Chief Officer Japheth Kiminza is to commercialize 50℅ of the agricultural activities in those value chains, promote agri-business and create job opportunities in the rural economy.

Speaking during a validation forum of the program at Tawa in Kisau/Kiteta ward, Kiminza encouraged farmers to join these value chains through which the government will provide seed capital, farm chemicals, extension services and marketing of their produce. These services will be provided through SACCOs and Cooperatives.

Makueni Agriculture ECM Joyce Mutua says the County Government has rolled out programs to support agri-business and the agriculture value chain.

Mutua said such programmes include the Agriculture Business Development Program (ABDP) among others.

She was speaking in Makindu when she met with participants at a training programme organised by Kitise Rural Development and Christian Aid on good governance. She lauded the two groups for empowering local residents understand key governance issues. The event was attended by Makueni County Chief Officer Devolution Daniel Ndolo, KRD and Christian Aid officials among others.

County Executive Committe Member for Agriculture Joyce Mutua in the company of National Cereals and Produce Board representative Joseph Mutahi on Wednesday inspected the Makindu Integrated Grain Processing Plant to assess its efficiency, capacity, and quality standards prior to its official opening.

Impressed by the stringent quality measures put in place, Mutahi pledged to expedite issuance of grading certificates, ensuring produce from the plant hits the market, both locally and internationally.

When fully operational, the facility will process up to 2 metric tonnes of grain per hour. It features a silo storage capacity of 200 metric tonnes, a drying system for optimal moisture levels, and a grading/packaging area catering to diverse market needs. This plant is a crucial component of Governor Mutula’s food security agenda for Makueni County.

The County Government of Makueni has installed a water treatment plant at the Kathonzweni Milk Processing Plant, marking a significant step towards its operationalization.

The new treatment facility will supply clean water necessary for processing value-added products such as pasteurized milk, mala, and yoghurt.

Once operational, the plant will help curb milk spoilage for local farmers and increase their income.

On Monday, Agriculture Executive Joyce Mutua and Livestock Chief Officer, Japheth Kiminza visited the plant for pre-testing of the water treatment system to ensure it meets the required quality standards.

Makueni County has been selected by the National Government to pioneer the National Animal Health and Breeding Program, Agriculture and Livestock Executive Committee Member Joyce Mutua has announced.

 The initiative, a nationwide effort, aims to bolster livestock health through extensive vaccination drives and the promotion of superior breeding practices.

Mutua said Makueni’s selection was due to its outstanding record in conducting annual vaccination campaigns, integral to its broader strategy of combating livestock diseases.

Once the breeding quality is enhanced, the county plans to shield livestock from adverse weather conditions by providing insurance coverage.

Mutua spoke on Thursday during the launch of this year’s livestock vaccination program in Nguu Masumba Ward, Kibwezi-West Sub-county.

This year’s vaccination schedule will focus on protecting cattle from Foot and Mouth Disease, Lumpy Skin Disease, and Rift Valley fever, while goats will be safeguarded against Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia. Poultry will also receive vaccinations against NewCastle Disease.

The vaccination program will span 485 vaccination sites, targeting over 15,000 households, with the overarching objective of eradicating priority livestock diseases within the county.

Dr. Daniel Ksee, the County Veterinary Officer present at the event, reported that Makueni has successfully vaccinated more than 400,000 livestock, including cattle, sheep, and goats, over the past three years.

The County Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), held a sensitization workshop on the Coffee Regulations 2019 on Wednesday as part of broader strategy to rejuvenate the coffee sector in Makueni, aiming to enhance the livelihoods of coffee farmers and contribute to the county’s economic growth.

The workshop targeted selected extension officers and members of the Kikima Cooperative Society board. The training aimed to acquaint them with the regulations and emphasized the importance of the new regulations in improving coffee quality and production efficiency.

The partners discussed various aspects of the regulation framework including standards for cultivation, processing, and marketing of coffee. The regulations also cover the rights and responsibilities of farmers, cooperative societies, and other stakeholders in the coffee industry.

The extension officers and cooperative society members will disseminate the knowledge gained to farmers, to ensure widespread compliance and benefit. As the sensitization program rolls out across the. coffee growing areas in Makueni, it is expected to boost farmers’ productivity and profitability.

The workshop, held in Kikima, was graced by Livestock and Cooperative Development Chief Officer Japheth Kiminza and County Director of Agriculture Mary Muteti.

In the spirit of revolutionizing agriculture in Makueni, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Thursday launched a state-of-the-art Hydroponic Farming Project. This innovative initiative, funded by the World Food Program (WFP) and managed by SelfHelp Africa, is set to transform the agricultural landscape by introducing a soil-free farming method that uses nutrient-rich water, directly benefiting young farmers in the region.

At the official launch, twenty farmers from the wards of Mtito Andei, Mavindini, Kitise/Kithuki, and Masongaleni received cutting-edge greenhouses, water tanks, and irrigation systems. These resources will enable them to cultivate crops in controlled environments, mitigating the risks posed by unpredictable weather and significantly enhancing food security.

The project also bolsters the Farmer’s Service Centre (FSC), a network comprising 57 beneficiaries from 16 wards across Makueni. The FSC serves as a vital link between farmers and suppliers, offering essential farming advice and support. During the event, the FSCs were equipped with mills, feed mixers, threshers, incubators, and solar water pumps provided by the WFP, further supporting grain, pulse, horticulture, beekeeping, and poultry farming ventures.

Governor Kilonzo urged the recipients to maximize the use of the new equipment to drive economic growth and expressed heartfelt gratitude to the WFP for their indispensable support.

This initiative highlights Makueni County’s commitment to adopting innovative and sustainable farming practices, ensuring resilience in the face of climate change and securing a brighter future for its agricultural community.

Makueni has been selected to host a new Kenya School of Agriculture campus, which will offer training in agriculture-related courses, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.has  announced.

Governor Mutula revealed that his administration has already allocated land for the construction of the school.

 The governor has also secured a hot water treatment facility from the National Government to enhance the export market for mangoes in Makueni.

Governor Mutula made these announcements on Wednesday during a meeting with the staff of the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperative Development.

Governor Mutula praised the dedication and commitment of the agriculture staff in providing essential extension services to farmers, which are crucial for sustained agriculture and food security in the county. 

He urged the officers to go above and beyond their duties to make a significant impact on the farmers of Makueni.

The staff meeting was organized by Agriculture Executive Joyce Mutua and agriculture and Livestock Chief Officers Dr Victoria Kyallo and Japheth Kiminza.

The Governor was accompanied by Transport Executive Eng. Sebastian Kyoni and Devolution Executive Japheth Mang’oka.