Agriculture

𝑾𝑶𝑻𝑬, 𝑺𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 25𝒕𝒉, 2026 ~ Makueni is set to strengthen access to nutritious foods and improve household livelihoods as iDE Kenya, an organisation that develops practical, market-driven solutions to improve the lives of smallholder farmers, advances the third year of its Transforming Lives Through Nutrition (TLTN) project.

On Thursday, iDE Kenya convened 37 Farm Business Advisors (FBAs), alongside Sub-County and Ward Agricultural Officers, the Agri-Nutrition Officer and consortium partner Helen Keller International (HKI), for an inception and planning meeting.

The training focused on nutrition-sensitive agriculture, dietary diversity, food production and utilisation, social and behaviour change communication, access to inputs and services, post-harvest handling, market linkages and aggregation.

The initiative seeks to bring practical knowledge, services and markets closer to farming households, while strengthening collaboration among government, partners and local entrepreneurs.

Through the FBA network, iDE Kenya and the County Agriculture Directorate aims to build sustainable community-level systems that continue delivering nutrition and agricultural solutions beyond the project period.

𝐖𝐎𝐓𝐄, 𝑺𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 23𝒓𝒅, 2026 ~ iDE Kenya, an international development organisation working with communities, farmers and local partners to advance practical solutions for improved livelihoods and economic opportunities, is strengthening nutrition-sensitive and climate-smart agriculture in Makueni County through the Transforming Lives Through Nutrition (TLTN) Project.

On Wednesday, iDE Kenya concluded a two-day planning forum that brought together Ward Agricultural Officers (WAOs) and Sub-County Agricultural Officers (SCAOs) to review progress, strengthen coordination and chart the next phase of the project.

The TLTN Project seeks to improve access to nutritious diets while equipping farmers and local agricultural actors with knowledge, skills and market opportunities to promote sustainable food production and resilient livelihoods.

During the forum, it was revealed that the project has so far recruited 34 Farmer Business Advisors (FBAs), who have reached 3,217 farmers through training, linked 1,567 farmers to agricultural inputs and services, and conducted 63 cooking demonstrations reaching 1,206 participants.

The review further established that 4,780 agricultural inputs have been distributed, reaching 2,237 farmers, while nine entrepreneurs successfully completed the Support Her Enterprise (SHE) training.

The forum provided an opportunity to consolidate these gains and strengthen the next phase of implementation, with greater focus on nutritious food production, value addition, enterprise development and stronger market linkages across Makueni.

𝑀𝑏𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑖, 18𝑡ℎ 𝑆𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 2026 – Thousands of Makueni households are set for a stronger planting season as the County Government rolls out certified maize seeds under Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s household empowerment agenda.

Through the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development, 8,372 farmers across four subcounties will receive 16.744 tonnes of certified maize seed, funded at KSh10 million.

Launched on Friday at Kithumani Market in Mbitini Ward by Agriculture CECM Damaris Kavoi, the initiative responds to priorities identified by residents during public participation and aims to strengthen food security, farm incomes and the grain value chain.

Each farmer will receive a 2kg packet, supporting maize production across an estimated 670 hectares and potentially yielding about 1,500 tonnes of maize.

The launch brought together Devolution CECM Nicholas Nzioka, Mbitini MCA Benard Mutua, Thange MCA Eric Katumo and Nzioki King’ola among other County officials.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has announced plans to restore the county’s lost mango export market in the Middle East after concerns over chemical residues and seed bugs in exported mangoes disrupted access to the market during the previous mango season.

Speaking on Tuesday when Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Kipronoh Ronoh paid him a courtesy call at his office, Governor Mutula said the county was working with the national government to address export challenges and reopen lucrative markets, particularly in Oman.

PS Ronoh said the Ministry of Agriculture was committed to partnering with Makueni County to ensure farmers benefit from improved market access, compliance with export requirements, and enhanced value for their produce.

The leaders also discussed plans to expand commercial agriculture in the county through the distribution of coffee seedlings to farmers in Makueni’s highlands, alongside sunflower and cotton seeds to promote crop diversification.

The initiatives are aimed at increasing agricultural productivity, creating new income opportunities for farmers, and strengthening Makueni’s agricultural economy.

Construction of a Sh90 million Kenya School of Agriculture (KSA) campus in Makueni County began Tuesday, with leaders saying the institution will strengthen agricultural training, create jobs and position the county as a regional hub for modern farming.

The Makueni campus, the 10th branch of the Kenya School of Agriculture, will serve the Lower Eastern region and is expected to open its first phase by November.

Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony at Kwakathoka, Makueni Gov. Mutula Kilonzo Jr. described the project as a major investment in the county’s people, particularly youth and farmers, amid rising demand for agricultural skills.

The governor said the institution would become a center for innovation, research and technology transfer, helping farmers adopt modern agricultural practices to address climate change and changing market demands.

He said the project would also stimulate the local economy by creating jobs during construction and operation, supporting local businesses and attracting investment into the county.

Mutula urged the contractor to prioritize local labor and locally available construction materials to maximize economic benefits for residents.

Principal Secretary for Agriculture Paul Kipronoh Ronoh said the project was made possible after sustained lobbying by the county government through the State Department for Agriculture.

Ronoh commended Mutula for his hands-on approach to development, saying the partnership demonstrated the importance of collaboration between the national and county governments.

He said sustainable agricultural development remains critical to Kenya’s economic growth and urged young people and farmers to embrace agriculture as a viable economic enterprise through a change in mindset.

He added that students enrolled at the institution would have an opportunity to benefit from an existing partnership with the United Kingdom government that offers paid agricultural internship opportunities abroad.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Ag. County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development Damaris Kavoi, County Executive Committee Member for ICT, Education and Internship Japheth Musyoka Mang’oka, Muvau/Kikumini MCA Elizabeth Kawembe Mutinda, Thange MCA Erick Musyoki Katumo and other county and national government officials.

Makueni Deputy Governor Makueni-H.E Lucy Mulili has urged farmers to embrace modern farming technologies, innovation, and value addition to enhance agricultural productivity, improve household incomes, and strengthen food security across the county.

Speaking during the second day of the 2026 Makueni Agricultural and Trade Fair at Makindu Showground on Friday, Mulili said empowering households with practical farming knowledge, modern technologies, and market-driven production is key to building resilient families and creating sustainable livelihoods.

She noted that the annual exhibition continues to provide a valuable platform where farmers interact with experts, learn modern agricultural practices, access quality farm inputs, and explore new market opportunities that can transform farming into a profitable enterprise.

The exhibition showcased a wide range of innovations and household-focused farming practices, including climate-smart agriculture, poultry production, apiculture (beekeeping), kitchen gardening, agroecological farming, livestock management, farm mechanization, irrigation technologies, value addition, agribusiness solutions, financial services, and agricultural research aimed at boosting food production and environmental sustainability.

Mulili further commended development partners, exhibitors, and agricultural stakeholders for their continued investment in innovative solutions that are empowering farmers, improving productivity, and strengthening agricultural value chains across the region.

She also applauded the vibrant entertainment that accompanied the exhibition, congratulating the upcoming musicians who graced the event for their outstanding performances and encouraging them to continue nurturing their talents.

The event brought together county leaders, government officials, farmers, exhibitors, development partners, and stakeholders from Makueni, Kitui, and Taita Taveta counties to showcase innovations in agriculture, livestock production, agribusiness, and value addition, while promoting knowledge exchange and regional collaboration in the agricultural sector.