Agriculture

Kwa Kathoka, 6th August 2024

The Agricultural Training College (ATC) celebrated a significant milestone as the first cohort of fully sponsored students successfully completed their exams.

This initiative, supported by the Anglican Development Services (ADS) and the County Government of Makueni, aligns with the National Agriculture Value Chain Development Program (NAVCDP) and aims to enhance skills in key agricultural areas such as poultry, dairy, and horticulture.

The program’s focus on practical training, with a curriculum comprising 20% theory and 80% practical experience, prepares students for real-world applications.

Graduates are equipped to provide extension services or launch entrepreneurial ventures in agriculture.

CEC Member for Agriculture Joyce Mutua, encouraged other wards to follow the example of Kathonzweni Ward, which has already allocated funds to sponsor youths for these training programs.

She emphasized that such initiatives would help bridge the gap in agricultural training and equip the youth with the necessary skills to engage in agri-preneurship.

This initiative is geared towards enhancing agricultural practices, promoting the adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), and forming commercial groups to boost productivity, quality, and market access for tomato farmers.

The project also aims to contribute to economic growth and food security.

Addressing concerns about group activity and management, Chief Officer Livestock and Fisheries Japheth Kiminza reassured farmers that the Makueni government would collaborate closely with active members of commercial groups to ensure proper management.

Additionally, farmers were encouraged to join Saccos through which the government will provide access to credit,extension services and saving opportunities, further supporting their agricultural ventures.

Today, the Makueni County Assembly Committee on Agriculture conducted a fact-finding tour of the Kathonzweni Dairy Plant to assess its operational status. This visit followed up on concerns raised by Hon. Maneno, the MCA for the host ward, regarding the viability of the milk processing plant.

Several critical issues were discussed during the tour. Chief Officer for Livestock and Fisheries, Japheth Kiminza informed the committee that the Government had already settled power bills owed to the plant, ensured supply of clean water, planned to deploy technicians,and is in the process of building and equiping a laboratory in preparation for opening the plant to production.The Dairy Plant, when operating at optimum capacity, can process 10,000 litres of milk per day and produce other dairy products like yoghurt and mala for the local market.

This visit underscores the commitment of the County Government and relevant stakeholders to ensure the smooth operation and sustainability of the Kathonzweni Dairy Plant.

Those present included; Chief officer Livestock and Fisheries Japheth Kiminza,The assembly Agriculture committee led by Hon. Jacintah Mwikali (Vice Chair), Hon. Maneno (the Host Mca) , Hon. Serah Mbilo, Hon.Jonathan Kimongo,Hon. Josephine Ndambuki, Hon. Jeniffer Mwanthi, Hon. Mercy Mutuku and the Kathonzweni dairy plant Cooperative committee members among other people.

The Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperative Development in Makueni County on Thursday held a successful stakeholder engagement forum on the roll-out of a livestock insurance project dubbed DRIVE (Derisking, Inclusion, and Value Enhancement of Pastoral Economies) project.

This project aims to sensitize livestock farmers in the county’s dry areas about the importance of livestock insurance, which supports sustaining livestock during droughts by providing feeds and water.

50 community mobilizers, primarily youth farmers, have been selected to register livestock farmers for insurance and educate them on marketing strategies.

County Executive Committee Member Joyce Mutua said the program, in partnership with the World Bank, reflects the County Government’s commitment to support livestock farmers for sustainable and optimum livestock production.

Makueni County, a member of the South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc (SEKEB), actively participated in this year’s Kitui Agricultural Show.

Makueni County booth attracted a huge traffic of visitors, drawing attention at the event themed “Promoting Climate Smart Agriculture and Trade Initiatives for Sustainable Food and Nutrition Security and Economic Growth.”

In a spirit of peer learning and regional cooperation, the Makueni County Department of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries dispatched representatives to show solidarity and explore emerging agricultural technologies and best practices in modern farming.

Makueni County is also planning to revive its own agricultural show. A committee,chaired by Director of Livestock Dr. David Musyoki, has been established to spearhead this initiative.

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.