News

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.

ELIM AGROinfo Academy, an agricultural company based in Kibwezi, Makueni County, is holding its 3rd Farmers Expo on September 10th and 11th, 2025, on a 2-acre farm at Kiboko – Makindu.

In partnership with the County Government’s Department of Agriculture, the expo targets to bring together over 1,500 farmers to learn modern ways of boosting yields through the right seeds, quality inputs and hands-on crop management demonstrations.

The expo will feature over 32 top agricultural companies offering products in seeds, crop nutrition, protection, animal health and financial services designed for farmers to adopt best practices that increase productivity.

This event will also connect farmers, businesses and experts to share knowledge, showcase innovations and create opportunities for profitable farming and agricultural growth in the county and region.

With the unpredictable climate pattern in Makueni, the 2-day expo will also serve as a vital platform equipping farmers with knowledge to make smart, effective and appropriate decisions on their farms.

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.

Over 125 farmers residing in Mavindini Ward have received pasture seed (Ndata Kivumbu- African Foxtail) by the Makueni County Government.

The primary objective of the initiative is to expand pasture acreage land and livestock feed resources, leading to enhanced productivity levels, as well as improving food and nutrition security.
Furthermore, it aims at augmenting household incomes and livelihoods by enabling farmers to vend their pastures.
The decision to select this particular seed variety was based on its climate appropriateness and public participation requests by the locals.
The distribution exercise was presided over by Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development Chief Officer Japheth Kiminza who was accompanied by his director David Musyoki.

2000 farmers drawn from 8 distinct Wards in Makueni have received 4 metric tonnes of assorted certified seeds for sorghum, cowpeas and green grams from the County Government of Makueni in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture.

Some of the areas that have benefitted are Ukia, Kako-Waia and Makindu who have received cowpeas while Kalawa, Mtito-Andei and Masongaleni have received green grams. Others are Ivingoni-Nzambani and Thange Wards where farmers have received sorghum.

Agriculture Executive Joyce Mutua said the selected wards were targeted due to the low rainfall predicted for the long rains period of March, April and May 2024. She further added that the resilient seeds will help boost food security.

Speaking at Mukuyuni on Tuesday when distributing seeds to Ukia farmers, Mutua encouraged all farmers to plant drought-resistant crops adding that the Meteorological Department has predicted low rainfall in Makueni.

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.

On Monday, Farmers in Kikumbulyu South Ward, Kibwezi West Sub-County, received 166 improved male goats valued at Ksh 2 million.

This initiative by the Department of Agriculture under the Ward budget aims to enhance milk and meat production through crossbreeding, improving market quality and boosting livelihoods.

The goats are expected to mature to a market weight within 12–18 months, with lactating goats producing 500–1,000 milliliters of milk daily.

Speaking during the handover, the CECM for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperatives Development, Ms. Joyce Mutua, encouraged farmers to embrace the opportunity to improve their livestock breeds. She highlighted the project’s potential to promote growth and economic stability in the community.

Area MCA Jades Kalunda applauded the county government’s efforts, reiterating their dedication to uplifting the livelihoods of Makueni residents.

During the handover, a grateful farmer noted, “When the goats multiply, I will be able to educate my children and provide for them.”

The herd is projected to grow significantly, reaching over 1,200 goats in two years.

The event was also attended by CO Livestock Japheth Kiminza, Thange Ward MCA Eric Katumo, and other county officials.