Agriculture

Rabies is a deadly viral disease that spreads from animals to humans, mainly through dog bites.

Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal, making prevention the only way to save lives.

Controlling rabies is critical as the disease not only endangers human health but also affects livelihoods, especially in rural communities like Makueni where dogs play a key role in security and companionship. Kenya records about 2,000 rabies deaths annually, underlining the urgent need for action.

On Monday, the Makueni County Department of Agriculture, Livestock marked World Rabies Day at Kikumini/Muvau Ward led by Agriculture CECM Liz Muli.

Supported by Vétérinaires Sans Frontières (VSF) Germany, which donated vaccines worth Ksh.3 million, local dog owners benefited from free vaccinations and sterilization services with a certificate for their animals.

Ms. Muli urged residents to bring out their dogs for vaccination, stressing that protecting animals is a sure way of safeguarding loved ones.

The County Veterinary Directorate will extend the campaign in October and November to Wote/Nziu, Kathonzweni, Kithungo/Kitundu, Kalawa, Ukia and Nguu/Masumba wards.

The event was also attended by Chief Officer Dr. Victoria Kyalo, VSF Germany representatives, and county veterinary officers.

Agriculture is the backbone of Makueni’s economy, with the county government remaining committed to empowering farmers to improve their livelihoods.

As part of this commitment, the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries on Monday distributed 54 hardy goats to 14 community groups in Mtito Andei Ward.

The exercise, led by Chief Officer for Livestock Mr. Japheth Kiminza, aims to strengthen livestock farming and increase household income.

“These goats are resilient breeds that will help farmers adapt to climate change and improve their earnings,” Mr. Kiminza noted.

Area MCA Francis Mwania, who attended the event, praised the program as a step towards fulfilling Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr’s manifesto of supporting farmers for economic growth.

Alongside the goats, five wheelchairs were also issued to persons with disabilities, reflecting the county’s drive for inclusive development.

The initiative is a clear indication of the county’s continued commitment to promoting agriculture, social welfare and inclusive growth at the grassroots level.

Mango farmers across Makueni County will reap big from a timely intervention as over 15,000 fruit fly traps, donated by the European Union, are set to be distributed to combat the destructive pest.

The consignment, received last week by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, was provided through TradeMark Africa and the East Africa Marketing Development Authority.

The traps use pheromones to lure fruit flies into a chamber lined with biopesticide, killing them instantly. Unlike heavy pesticide use that harms both people and the environment, these traps offer a safe and sustainable solution.

Speaking during the Tuesday launch at Kikumini/Muvau Ward, Agriculture CECM Elizabeth Muli noted that fruit flies have long reduced mango yields and farmer incomes.

She said the county is determined to protect farmers’ produce and boost food security.

In a joint statement, TradeMark Africa Country Director Lillian Mwai and Agriculture Chief Officer Dr. Victoria Kyalo told farmers that the fruit fly trap distribution is part of a wider pest management program designed to strengthen horticulture value chains and raise farmers’ incomes.

The traps, coming at the critical mango management season, promise healthier fruits, bigger harvests and stronger access to premium markets for farmers.

The event was attended by area MCA Elizabeth Kawembe, Agriculture Chief Officer Dr. Victoria Kyalo and EAMDA CEO Eunice Ngina among others.

Over 200 mango farmers in Nzaui/Kilili/Kalamba Ward have received timely training on mango management, coming at a crucial flowering season when pest control, proper nutrition, and orchard care determine the year’s harvest.

The Tuesday session, graced by Agriculture CECM Elizabeth Muli and CO Dr. Victoria Kyalo, equipped farmers with practical skills on flowering care, pest and disease prevention, fruit thinning and soil nutrition; essential steps to improve both the quality and quantity of mango production.

The training, also attended by sub-county administrators, agro-input suppliers, mango off-takers and value chain leaders, was anchored on three key goals: helping farmers adopt Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), linking them with off-takers for binding contracts, and connecting them to reliable input suppliers.

So far, similar trainings have been rolled out in Kako/Waia, Masongaleni, Kikumbulyu South, Ivinza, Thange, Emali/Mulala, and Mavindini wards, with Nzakika cluster alone registering 2,080 farmers.

More sessions are planned for Kalawa, Ukia, Kaskeu, Kisau/Kiteta, and Tulimani wards in the coming weeks, ensuring wider farmer coverage ahead of the harvest season.

ELIM AGROinfo Academy, an agricultural company based in Kibwezi, Makueni County, is holding its 3rd Farmers Expo on September 10th and 11th, 2025, on a 2-acre farm at Kiboko – Makindu.

In partnership with the County Government’s Department of Agriculture, the expo targets to bring together over 1,500 farmers to learn modern ways of boosting yields through the right seeds, quality inputs and hands-on crop management demonstrations.

The expo will feature over 32 top agricultural companies offering products in seeds, crop nutrition, protection, animal health and financial services designed for farmers to adopt best practices that increase productivity.

This event will also connect farmers, businesses and experts to share knowledge, showcase innovations and create opportunities for profitable farming and agricultural growth in the county and region.

With the unpredictable climate pattern in Makueni, the 2-day expo will also serve as a vital platform equipping farmers with knowledge to make smart, effective and appropriate decisions on their farms.

The Makueni County Fruit Development and Marketing Authority has received Joseph Kioko as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Kioko formerly Managing Director of Kenya Planters Co-operative Union Ltd (KPCU) takes over from Agnes Kitili, who has been serving in an acting capacity.

In driving the authority’s mission, the new CEO is expected to transform the livelihoods of fruit farmers across Makueni by ensuring stable mango prices and reducing post-harvest losses.

The Thursday onboarding was witnessed by Elizabeth Muli, the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development, who expressed confidence that the new CEO will strengthen the county’s fruit sector and boost farmers’ incomes.

The authority remains a key driver in positioning Makueni as a leader in fruit production and marketing, providing farmers with fair returns while securing the future of the county’s mango industry.