Agriculture

May 9, 2024

The Makueni booth at the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit 2024 was a huge success, attracting over 1000 delegates from across Africa who convened at the KICC in Nairobi. 

The summit, themed “Listen to the Land,” brought together over 2000 delegates from across Africa to discuss fertilizer and soil health solutions for better agriculture. 

Makueni showcased a range of technologies for fertilizer and soil health solutions including push and pull, which entails use of legumes to repel pests, organic and inorganic fertilizers, and  use of GIS in natural resource management.

Makueni, supported by  Kenya Cereals Enhancement Programme-Climate Resilient Agricultural Livelihoods (KCEP-CRAL), conducted  soil analyses for over 16,000 farmers, guiding them on crop choices.

KCEP-CRAL facilitated the adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices among farmers, such as deep tillage, and provided essential farm inputs like certified seeds,  hermetic bags and tarpaulins, through the e-voucher system

 Agriculture ExecutiveJoyce Mutua led the county’s delegation in the three-day summit, which concluded with  official closing by President William Ruto on Thursday.

Wote: May 6, 2024

10,000 farmers in selected wards in Makueni will benefit from fruit fly management technologies, an initiative by the county government to bolster the production of high-quality, fruit fly-free mangoes destined for EU and other lucrative markets.

The 8 wards are the newly established Areas of Low Pest Prevalence(ALPP) by the county government in collaboration with Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), as one of the measures to mitigate post-harvest losses due to pest damage. 

The wards are Wote /Nziu, Kisau/Kiteta, Kako Waia, Muvau /Kikumini, Ukia, Kathonzweni, Kitise/kithuki and Mavindini. 

Other ALPP established include upper Makueni (Nzaui-Kilili-Kalamba) and lower Makueni (Kibwezi- Along River Athi production belt).

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Monday flagged off the technologies at the Governor’s Office in Wote, paving the way for distribution to farmers.

Mulili called on mango farmers to embrace recommended practices and adhere to stringent standards to secure access to premium markets for their harvest.

Mulili was accompanied by Agriculture Chief Officer Dr. Victoria Kyallo and KEPHIS Entomologist Hellen Heya.

Mtito-Andei: May 3, 2024

Agriculture Chief Officer, Dr. Victoria Kyallo has officially concluded a 5-day training workshop for county extension officers on Participatory Integrated Community Development (PICD) for the National Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP). 

The training sought to empower extension officers with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively introduce the project to their communities, and ensure active community participation by identifying key issues and opportunities and devising suitable interventions.

NAVCDP, a 5-year initiative, is focused on increasing market participation and value addition for farmers in specific value chains including mango, dairy, poultry, tomato, and apiculture (bee-keeping).

The PICD process emphasizes public participation, enabling all members of the community from the 30 wards to contribute to the identification of community problems and suggest potential interventions under the project. This inclusive approach aims to ensure that interventions are tailored to local needs and are thus more effective.

Following the conclusion of the workshop, extension officers will embark on a 21-day interaction period with farmers across all wards in the county. This period aims to foster community ownership and ensure the successful implementation of the project. 

Dr. Kyallo emphasized the importance of the PICD process, describing it as a fundamental activity that forms the foundation of the project. By engaging the community from the onset, PICD ensures that interventions are not only relevant but also sustainable in the long term.

Masongaleni: May 2, 2024

Agriculture Executive Joyce Mutua on Thursday toured Silgama Beef Ltd in Masongaleni, one of Makueni’s pioneering feedlot farms.

The objective of the visit was to exchange knowledge and explore avenues for partnership to enhance the meat value chain in the county.

They exchanged ideas on improving livestock management techniques, optimizing feed formulations, and implementing sustainable farming methods.

Mutua expressed her enthusiasm for potential partnerships between the county government and Silgama Beef Ltd to support local farmers and boost the meat value chain in Makueni.

Silgama Beef Ltd’s representatives showcased their innovative approaches to cattle rearing, emphasizing animal welfare standards, and efficiency in feedlot operations. They also highlighted their commitment to environmentally friendly practices and community engagement initiatives.

Mutua was accompanied by Livestock Director David Musyoki and the Area Member of County Assembly Brian Nzoka.

The Government of Kenya, with the support of the World Bank through the NAVCDP and FSRP projects, is rolling out a business acceleration model in 46 counties. This program will equip individuals, especially youth, with correct skills to become agricultural entrepreneurs or “agripreneurs.”

These agripreneurs will serve as catalysts for change, bringing innovative technologies, resources, and market connections to farmers. Agripreneurs will operate as independent businesses, providing services and products to farmers for a fee or other forms of remuneration, making the model sustainable and scalable.

Recognizing the value of experience, the government is prioritizing youth who participated in last year’s national farmer registration exercise.

Grab the opportunity before it closes. Click on this link to apply.

https://apeoi.kalro.org

400 farmers from Tulimani Ward in Mbooni have received agrochemicals as part of an initiative to bolster fruit value chain development in the county.

The assorted agrochemicals will play a crucial role in managing destructive pests and controlling fruit diseases.

The distribution exercise, spearheaded by Livestock Chief Officer Japheth Kiminza, took place on Friday at Kalawani Social Hall. He was accompanied by the area MCA, Kyalo Mumo.

The Department of Agriculture and Livestock, through NARIGP has launched a campaign to raise awareness among farmers in the county about the benefits of joining SACCOs.

The goal of the campaign is to bring together smallholder farmers and Common Interest Groups (CIGs) into SACCOs, enabling them to access affordable credit for adopting advanced technologies, innovations, and management practices.

The County Project Coordinator, Paul Musyimi is spearheading the sensitization efforts, which commenced on Thursday in Mtito-Andei and Kiima Kiu Kalanzoni Wards.

This campaign serves as a precursor to the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), which will collaborate with SACCOs, a departure from NARIGP’s focus on CIGs.

NAVCDP envisions each SACCO having a minimum membership of 600 and a capital threshold of Kshs. 500,000 to qualify for an inclusion grant of Kshs. 1 million, aimed at facilitating office setup.

Musyimi is actively urging all farmers in Makueni to join respective ward-based SACCOs.

Wote: April 24, 2024

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr receives a consignment of assorted agricultural chemicals and equipment from the Ministry of Agriculture, in Wote, for pests management and control of crop diseases.

Governor Mutula has directed the Department of Agriculture to set up a rapid response crop protection unit to help farmers manage pests and control crop diseases for enhanced food security.

He was accompanied by Agriculture Executive Joyce Mutua.

April 23, 2024

MESPT Delegation Applauds Makueni Agriculture School for Innovative Technologies

A high-powered delegation from the Micro Enterprises Programme Trust (MESPT) visited Makueni to assess the Agriculture TVET at Kwa-Kathoka and engage with students on field attachment, as part of their oversight roles for co-funded projects.

These students, sponsored by the County Government of Makueni, ADSE, and MESPT, are part of the inaugural cohort undergoing agricultural courses at the school, expressing hope for a bright future and aspirations to establish their own enterprises.

The 60 trainees are gaining valuable insights from leading agriprenuer enterprises in the county, such as BEFA Feeds, Iviani Farm, RipeGrow Enterprises, Kwa Malika Farm, and Makueni Chicken Queen Enterprise.

The county government, collaborating with like-minded partners, aims to expand the Agricultural school at ATC Kwa-Kathoka to equip more youth with green skills to boost their employability and ensure food security in the region.