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FARMERS’ FIELD SCHOOLS ENHANCE PRODUCTIVITY AND INCOME

Thange: March 22, 2024

Farmers’ Field Schools Enhance Productivity and Income

Numerous farmers have participated in the Farmer Field day events held at Thange and Mbitini wards.

The initiatives serve as a platform for acquiring knowledge from successful Farmers’ Field schools (FFS) teams, which received support from the National Agricultural Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP).

These groups demonstrated exemplary agricultural practices in tomato, Mango, green grams, and poultry value chains that have resulted in increased production and profitability.

Beneficiaries hailed FFS as an innovative approach that has positively impacted their behavior towards adopting improved skills and knowledge while exposing them to practical learning by doing techniques.

Makueni County NARIGP Coordinator Paul Musyimi graced the event on Friday in Thange, where he disclosed that over Sh 13 million had been invested to support 50 value chain groups in Thange Ward.

Additionally, he encouraged farmers to join saccos so they could access affordable credits through the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), a new program aimed at commercialization.

FARMERS ENCOURAGED TO EMBRACE SACCOS FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

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.

FARMERS BENCHMARK AT YATTA CHRISTIAN IMPACT MISSION FARM ON SUSTAINABLE FARMING PRACTICES

A group of farmers and Agri-preneurs drawn from across the county, along with members of the Makueni County Assembly’s Agriculture Sectoral Committee visited the Yatta Christian Impact Mission (CIM) farm on Thursday for a one-day benchmarking tour.

The tour was aimed to learn about innovative and sustainable agricultural technologies, and explore sustainable farming practices that can help improve productivity.

Farmers were offered an opportunity to discuss modern farming methods and learnt ways of improving agricultural productivity in an eco-friendly way. Additionally, they explored various demonstration farms growing crops like onions, maize, sunflower, paw paws, bananas and kitchen garden setups.

Speaking during the tour, CIM Proprietor Bishop Masika encouraged farmers to make farming activity an all-round year activity by investing in storing water. Masika further stated, “endeavour in commercializing farming for economic empowerment.”

Leading the team, the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture Joyce Mutua urged farmers to put the knowledge gained into practice and share it with others in the county. “The skills learned here have the potential to transform Makueni’s agriculture sector and improve the livelihoods of our farmers,” she said.

Mutua was flanked by Majority Leader Hon. Kisungi Katete, Hon. Francis Mutuku, Chairperson of the Agriculture Committee, other Committee members and Chief Officers Japheth Kiminza and Dr. Victoria Kyalo.

FAO PARTNERS WITH MAKUENI TO BOOST LIVESTOCK FEED PRODUCTION

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) intends to partner with Makueni County to roll out a five-year project aimed at transforming livestock feed production and creating opportunities for young people.

During a courtesy call to Deputy Governor H.E DG-Makueni Lucy Mulili on Tuesday, the FAO team introduced the initiative—CASHA (Creating Shared Value in the Livestock Sector with Young People in Kenya’s ASALs)—which will run in 15 counties, including Makueni.

The project is set to benefit over 2,000 youth across the County by promoting sustainable fodder production, agribusiness and commercialization of livestock feeds.

Mulili welcomed the initiative, highlighting the critical role livestock plays in the livelihoods of Makueni households.

She noted that the project will enhance farmer incomes, create jobs for youth and women, and contribute to food and nutrition security in the county.

The program also integrates climate-smart practices to build resilience and ensure environmental sustainability.

Famous Mountain Bike Trails Near TownPress

Mountain biking is the sport of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially designed mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.

FAMILIARIZATION MEETING FOR NEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS OF THE KENYA DEVOLUTION SUPPORT PROGRAM (II) IN WOTE, MAKUENI

Deputy governor Lucy Mulili on Monday chaired a familiarization meeting for new committee members of the Kenya devolution support program (II) in Wote, Makueni.

The committee will be in charge of implementing programs funded by the National government under KDSP to strengthen county performance in key result areas such as public finance management, Monitoring and evaluation,human resources and performance management and public participation and devolution and intergovernmental relations.

Makueni will get an institutional grant of KSh.37.5 M and a service delivery investment grant,directly linked to achievement of predefined tangible and verifiable results under the 4 year KDSP (II).

Mulili was flanked by county assembly speaker Douglas Mbilu, several ECMs,chief Officers,officers from the state department of Devolution and the assembly chair of the Devolution committee and Mbitini ward MCA Bernard Mutua.

Faith Mumo Cuts Niche in Agripreneurship

The sky is not the limit for Faith Mumo, a young vibrant agripreneur after she hosted a ground breaking ceremony to pave the way for the construction of ‘BEFA FEEDS’ animal feed processing factory to boost her daily processing capacity.

Faith is currently processing 10 Metric Tons of assorted feeds monthly at a rented small facility and is targeting to process 50 Metric Tons hence the need for a bigger premise.

Her agribusiness journey began while serving as an intern at the Makueni County Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, livestock and Fisheries Development, based at the ATC- Kwakathoka, where she received mentorship.

While at ATC, Faith also learned about fingerlings production and mango value addition which she is also practicing at the family Iviani farm in Muvau- Kikumini ward.

She has employed 40 other young people and she is an inspiration to the young generation that agribusiness is a lucrative venture.

The ground breaking ceremony was graced by Agriculture Executive Joyce Mutua, Makueni County Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu and other senior county officials on Wednesday at kwakathoka shopping center.