Agriculture

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.

June 13, 2024

Farmers attended a field day at Wonder Farm in Makindu to learn about innovative agricultural technologies implemented by Phoebe Mwangangi,the farm’s owner, to promote climate-smart agriculture, enhance food security and support sustainable economic growth. 

Key takeaways included:

Minimum Soil Disturbance: Utilizing practices like no-till or reduced-till farming to maintain soil fertility, enhance water retention, and support plant growth.

Deep Tillage: Plowing soil deeper than 12 inches to alleviate compaction, promote root growth, and improve water and nutrient distribution.

Intercropping: Growing multiple crops together in the same field to optimize space, increase yields, enhance soil health, and reduce pests and diseases.

Zai Pits: Employing small planting pits filled with organic matter to boost water retention and soil fertility, thereby increasing crop yields in arid regions.

Mulching:  Covering soil with materials such as straw, leaves, or plastic to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, regulate temperature, and enhance fertility.

Surface Run-off Rainwater Harvesting:  Collecting rainwater from rooftops or impermeable surfaces, directing it into storage for irrigation and household use, thereby conserving water and minimizing erosion.

Planting Drought-Tolerant Crops:  Cultivating crop varieties adapted to thrive with minimal water, crucial for regions susceptible to drought, ensuring consistent crop yields.

The event was organized by the Makueni County Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperative Development in collaboration with the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA).

June 11, 2024

At least 100 livestock farmers from Kawese Village in Kasikeu Ward have benefited from a free veterinary medical camp aimed at combating diseases exacerbated by recent floods.

The initiative included vaccinations against endemic diseases such as Rift Valley Fever in cattle, sheep, and goats, and Lumpy Skin disease in cattle. Dogs were also vaccinated against rabies to help control dog-mediated human rabies.

In total, 600 cattle, 1200 sheep and goats, and 200 dogs were vaccinated.

Veterinary officers from the Department of Agriculture and Livestock also provided other essential services such as deworming, wound management, and various clinical treatments.

Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti on Friday  visited Makueni’s booth during the ongoing South Eastern Kenya National Show at Machakos showground. 

Ndeti was impressed by the various value chains and value additions displayed at the show. She expressed particular amazement that coconuts could thrive in Makueni, and stated her intention to promote this value chain through the South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc (SEKEB).

The four-day event, which started on Wednesday 5th June 2024 features numerous exhibitors showcasing diverse agricultural innovations and technologies under the theme “Promoting Climate-Smart Agriculture and Trade Initiatives for Sustainable Economic Growth.”

June 3, 2024

The Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperative Development has commenced community entry meetings to create awareness of the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) and begin the Participatory Integrated Community Development (PICD) process.

Agriculture Executive Joyce Mutua launched the PICD process at Mukuku market in Kako Waia Ward. Similar meetings are taking place across the county and will continue in 4 zones in every ward until June 11, 2024, paving the way for the PICD process.

The purpose of the PICD is to ensure community members participate in identifying issues and problems in target agricultural value chains and generate solutions, including development plans.

The process will culminate in an implementation plan for NAVCDP. NAVCDP is a five-year initiative building on the National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP) productivity and resilience enhancement efforts that have laid the foundation for market-oriented, commercialized farming.

The project focuses on smallholder farmers either “in transition” or who have “transitioned” from subsistence to commercial farming. The overall goal is to increase market participation and enhance value addition for smallholder farmers.