Agriculture

CS Linturi has committed to set up a cold store for the farmers produce at the aggregation center.

The Ministry through its partners have also supported 10 other micro irrigation schemes along River Athi and in the main seasonal rivers in Makueni under the CIVAP programme.

CS Linturi also committed to push for the thwake dam irrigation component where 40,000 acres around the area stand to benefit.

This scheme will serve 485 acres.

Agriculture & Livestock CS Mithika Linturi accompanied by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior today flagged off grain dryers for Makueni, Kitui and Machakos counties and thereafter launched distribution of sunflower seeds and subsidised fertilizer to farmers across the County.

Over 200 farmers on Wednesday were trained on dairy farming techniques at the Makueni Agricultural Training Centre.

The event was graced by Joyce Mutua, who serves as the CECM for the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative development.

The training was organized in conjunction with Unga Farm Care and Remington to provide better ways to enhance milk production through improved dairy feeds and collective improvement in dairy farming practices. This is expected to lead to a significant increase in dairy production.

The participating farmers came from four dairy member cooperatives within the Lower Eastern Dairy Cooperative Alliance (LEDCA), namely Kaiti, Kilala, Wote and Kathonzweni.

Mutua commended the farmers for their eagerness to attend such training sessions and emphasized that the county government is committed towards revamping dairy production through initiatives such as Kikima and Kathonzweni milk processing plants.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr spend a significant portion of his Friday engaging with accomplished agribusiness farmers in Mavindini, an exceedingly arid ward within the county. 

These farmers have adopted climate-smart agricultural technologies to achieve optimal productivity and profitability.

 The Makueni County Government is committed to providing support to these farmers as well as other emerging ones, with the goal of transforming agriculture into a lucrative venture, particularly for younger generations.

The Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development is leading this initiative in collaboration with the Department of Water and Sanitation. 

The scope of works includes excavation of the dam, fencing installation, cattle troughs and sanitation blocks construction, masonry tank building, piping works installation and draw-off point establishment.

The rehabilitation of the dam is being implemented through the National Agricultural & Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP) and funded by the World Bank.

Upon completion, the 67,000M³ capacity dam will provide water for irrigated farming to almost 7,000 local residents.

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Tuesday at an event organised by The County Department of Agriculture hosted Co-operatives & Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui who was in Makueni to sensitize farmers on coffee reforms geared towards revamping the sector.

CS Chelugui announced an increment of coffee cherry fund from Shs.2 Billion to Sh. 6 Billion. As a result, he announced a minimum price of a kilo of cherry at Sh 80, a move he said is meant to encourage farmers to invest more in coffee production.

The minister decried a major decline of coffee production nationwide, from 141,000 to 25,000 Metric Tons in the last 3 years, explaining the need for the coffee sector reforms.

Other reforms include reviving the Coffee Research Foundation (CRF) and Coffee Board of Kenya. CRF will undertake specialized research in all problems affecting coffee production while the Coffee Board of Kenyawill undertake promotion, market research and product development initiatives for Kenya coffee in the domestic and international markets.

On his part, Governor Mutula Jnr pledged his unwavering support to coffee farmers and committed to partner with the National Government to make the sector a lucrative venture for farmers.

Further, Governor Mutula Jnr beseeched President William Ruto to waive the farmers’ outstanding loans owed by various millers which he revealed run into millions of shillings, terming the loans as a major setback in coffee profitability to local farmers.

Agriculture and Water Executives Joyce Mutua and Engineer John Kieti respectively on Monday graced the groundbreaking ceremony for the rehabilitation of Ngosini Dam. This event signals the official start of the rehabilitation project, with all necessary machinery and experts from the county government already on-site, indicating a swift and efficient commencement.

Upon completion, the 67,000 cubic meter dam is expected to bring substantial benefits to 640 households in Muvau Kikumini and Mavindini Wards through irrigation. This development holds the promise of enhancing local agriculture, ensuring water access, and ultimately improving the overall quality of life for the communities involved.

The funding for this vital project comes from the World Bank through the National Agricultural Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP), in collaboration with Makueni County Government. This partnership underscores the commitment to sustainable development and addressing key issues related to water resources and agriculture in the region.

Mary Mathuli, a poultry farmer in Muvau village has unveiled poultry feed dubbed ‘Mama Feeds’ to enhance chicken productivity and profitability.This major stride was made possible by the generous support of Seeds of Change through the Mission Grow project implemented by FIPS-Africa in partnership with the Government of Makueni County.

Through the partners’ efforts, Mama Feeds is now certified by KEBS to formulate and supply feeds.

The feed initiative is a breakthrough for the farmer at a time when many farmers are witnessing a decline in the number of chicken per household due to diseases and high cost of feeds.

Narrating her journey in poultry farming, Mathuli revealed that she started small with 10 indigenous birds which expanded to the current 3000 chicken.The farmer credits her prowess in farming to a 2014 training by Micro Enterprise Support programme Trust, an NGO promoting climate-smart agriculture.

She has also benefitted from various capacity building programs, courtesy of the Government of Makueni County and her partners such as Cereals Growers Association (CGA).

Mathuli, who doubles as a dairy farmer keeps fish, and grows maize and beans. She grows Azolla, an aquatic fern rich in protein which she uses as a supplementary feed for the chicken and fish.

The farmer uses her farm to train locals on enhanced agricultural production and she has mentored over 5000 farmers.In 2022, Mathuli’s farm attracted wider admiration when she hosted American philanthropist and world billionaire Bill Gates, adding to her fortune.

Makueni Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development Chief Officer Dr. Victoria Kyallo who graced Mama Feeds Launch on Wednesday said that the government’s commitment to developing Mathuli’s poultry feed brand as a quality feed is intricately entrenched in the County Integrated Development Plan.

Kyallo reiterated the county’s commitment to make Makueni food secure by addressing the foundation challenges affecting poultry business and productivity.

Officials of the Kilombo Dam Irrigation Water Users Association (IWUA) have undergone a comprehensive 3-day training program to enhance their skills in the maintenance and management of the dam.

The officials are members of the community drawn from Kee and Kiima-Kiu/Kalanzoni wards elected by the residents to ensure proper management of the water resource.

The topics covered during the training, including Irrigation General Regulations 2021, Formation and Management of IWUA, statutory requirements, water structures management, and financial management, are critical for effective and sustainable dam operation. These topics cover legal, organizational, technical, and financial aspects, providing a well-rounded skill set.

The training was organized by the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development through National Agricultural Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP).

Kilombo Dam has a capacity of 315,000,000 Litres and is targeting to irrigate 15 hectares of land in the two wards. Some of the residents in the vicinity are already benefiting from irrigated farming, a crucial indicator of the practical impact of the dam on the local economy and livelihoods.

Over 500 farmers drawn from Tulimani Ward in Mbooni on Friday received 4000  fruit seedlings (2000 Hass avocado and 2000 Apple mangoes). 

This initiative by the County Government of Makueni through the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development is meant to enhance farmers’ income in 2 to 3 years when the seedlings are expected to mature. This will, in turn result in improved livelihoods.

The distribution exercise was graced by the Chief Officer Agriculture and Irrigation Daniel Ndolo, who was flanked by the area MCA and Majority Leader Hon. Kyalo Mumo, Sub County Administrator  Phyllis Kithome and a host of officers from various county departments and the National Government.