Agriculture

A multidisciplinary team from the Departments of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development, Environment, Public Health and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has completed a two-day benchmarking programme focused on leather tannery operations.

The tour aimed to equip the team with the technical expertise needed to make informed decisions regarding the stalled Wote tannery project.

Makueni County had previously benefitted from the Economic Stimulus Programme, which established the foundational infrastructure and equipment for the tannery.

The delegation, led by Agriculture and Livestock Executive, Joyce Mutua, visited key facilities including the tannery under development at Machakos School for the Blind, the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI) and the Ewaso Ng’iro Tannery and Leather Factory in Narok County.

The Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperative Development has launched a two-day training workshop specifically tailored for lead poultry farmers. The workshop is designed to equip these farmers with practical skills and knowledge aimed at enhancing poultry production. The training covers essential topics such as poultry disease management, housing, incubation, and hatching, all of which are critical to successful poultry farming.

During the workshop, Chief Officer for Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperatives Development, Japtheth Kiminza, highlighted the importance of adopting the cooperative model across all agricultural value chains. He emphasized that the National Agriculture Value Chain Development Program (NAVCDP) supports this model, which allows farmers to pool resources, reduce costs, increase bargaining power, and improve access to markets, training, and other vital services.

The event was also graced by the presence of the Director of Livestock and Fisheries, Dr. David Musyoki, Project Coordinator Paul Musyimi, and County Community Institutions Development Officer Roselyne Mumbua.

August 22, 2024

The Department of Agriculture and Livestock has launched a campaign to register 10,000 cattle farmers to be insured against losses occasioned by droughts.

The insurance project is co-funded by the county government and world bank under a programme dubbed De-risking, Inclusion, and Value Enhancement (DRIVE). It targets 20 wards in the county.

Those insured will be paid Sh 16,000 per cattle head at the onset of a drought pandemic to mitigate the negative effects that may cause losses to the farmers.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Thursday flagged off 50 community mobilizers to register the farmers for the first phase of the program in the month of September.

He said the project aims to commercialize livestock production and trade in Makueni.

Wote, 19th August 2024.

A team of auditors from the Office of the Commissioner of Cooperative Development commenced their 10-day tour of duty in Makueni today with a courtesy call to the Office of the Executive Committee Member (ECM) for Agriculture livestock,Fisheries and Cooperatives development, Joyce Mutua.

The auditors are in Makueni to conduct a forensic audit and inquiry into Kilimo Services Sacco Society Limited. This investigation follows a request by the Members of the Sacco to the County Government to assist them in carrying out audit after allegations of mismanagement and embezzlement by the Sacco’s leadership led to the near-collapse of the giant Sacco, which boasts a membership of 16,000 members.

The inquiry will focus on:

Auditing the Sacco’s by-laws.

Evaluating the working and financial conditions of the Sacco.

Investigating the conduct of current and past management and committee members of Kilimo Sacco Society Limited, in accordance with Section 58, read together with Section 73 of the Cooperative Societies Act, Cap. 490, Laws of Kenya.

During the meeting, Joyce Mutua expressed her confidence in the audit team, led by Assistant Commissioner of Cooperatives CPA Peter Wanjohi Kiama, Principal Cooperative Auditor Silars Okoth Dede, and Senior ICT Officer Michael Maigwa. She assured that the truth would be uncovered and that those responsible for the mismanagement of the Sacco’s resources would be held accountable.

This inquiry follows a Baraza held last thursday by Sacco members, where leaders, including ECM Agriculture Joyce Mutua, Makueni County assembly Speaker Hon. Douglas Mbilu, and MCA for Nzaui Kilili Kalamba Ward Francis Mutuku among other leaders, assured members that justice would be served, and all responsible parties would be held to account for the lost resources.

The morning meeting was attended by Chief Officer of Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperatives Japheth Kimimza, Director of Cooperatives Munene Mwiindi, and Director of Administration Esther Kivindyo.

Today, farmers from Kathonzweni, Mavindini, and Muvau wards took part in a field day at Muamba Ikungu village in Kathonzweni Ward, Makueni County.

The event, organized by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KARLO) and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), showcased new drought-resistant sorghum varieties: Smart, Ndume, and Jasiri.

These varieties are known for their high yields, nutritional benefits (rich in calcium and iron), and bird resistance, with potential yields of up to 18 bags per acre. This could generate Ksh. 105,000 per acre against a production cost of Ksh. 20,000 per acre.

Joyce Mutua, the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, praised the initiative for its potential to improve nutrition, food security and local livelihoods, assuring that certified seeds would be distributed by reputable institutions to farmers within the County.

The event also saw the attendance of Mary Muteti, Director of Agriculture, Dr. Patrick Ketiem from KARLO, and Dr. Chris Ojiewo from CIMMYT.

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.