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Makueni Farmers to Receive Financial Boost through Saccos.

The Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development in partnership with the National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP) has embarked on an ambitious plan to register Saccos in a bid to assist farmers access affordable credits and put more profits in their pockets.
 
Through the Saccos, farmers will be able to access financial resources to boost their productivity and profitability.
 
According to Agriculture chief officer Daniel Ndolo, limited access to financial resources has been a major setback to farmers’ ability to adopt agriculture investments
 
In the new plan, the county government through the department is targeting to form and register a Sacco in each of the 30 wards across the county. So far, 7 Saccos are already legally established, with 6 of them having elected management and supervisory committees in place.
 
The management and supervisory committees’ members of the 6 Saccos underwent  induction training last week, in a bid to equip them with the necessary skills to run and manage the Saccos effectively.
 
The 7 Saccos are in the following  wards; Tulimani, Kako/Waia Masongaleni, Kilome, Thange, Kikumbulyu North and South and Kitise/Kithuki.
 
Once all the Saccos are automated and operational, they will receive a boost startup grant of upto Sh. 1 Million through the NARIGP project.
 
The county government is now calling upon farmers to join Saccos in large numbers so as to benefit maximally in agriculture production and profitability.

Sunflower Farming in Makueni

Makueni farmers to reap millions from Sunflower growing

Thousands of Makueni farmers are looking at better days growing sunflower with a ready and almost insatiable market provided by Bidco company limited.

Through contract farming, Bidco has partnered with Makueni County and Safaricom through use of a mobile based app, Digifarm, through which farmers get agronomical advise, credit facilities and all the necessary extension services on their mobile phone.

The journey towards sunflower production in the County began in November 2018 when Bidco through DigiFarm Contracted 640 farmers to plant the crop as a pilot project.

According to Governor Kivutha Kibwana, the pilot project covered 941ha, harvesting 941 metric tons of sunflower seed valued at about Shillings 35 million.

Purchase of this produce was flagged off at Kathonzweni by governor Kibwana, Safaricom’s Director of Enterprises Business Rita Okuthe, and Bidco head of Agribusiness John Kariuki on Thursday.

Kariuki announced that Makueni has been identified as a model county for sunflower seed growing in the country where those aspiring to venture into the business will come for bench marking.

Out of the 10,000 metric tonnes of sunflower seeds demand by Bidco annually, Makueni has been allocated a 2,000 quota by the company, a motivator to the local farmers to take up its production.

To spur uptake of the crop, Kibwana has said that the county has recruited 75 extension officers trained on using the Digifarm platform in farmer service delivery and equipped with 75 mobile smart phones to enable adoption of the platform by the extension officers.

Another 33 tablets have been sourced for supervisors.

He said begining March, the county has kicked off Soil testing activity at a subsidized cost of Shillings 300 to the farmers. The soil test gives a detailed report after 5 minutes.

MAKUENI FARMERS TO BENEFIT FROM SUBSIDIZED SUNFLOWER SEEDS

Farmers in Makueni County are set to benefit from 6 metric tonnes of sunflower seed under the Edible Oil Crops Promotion Project (EOCPP) subsidy programme.

In a capacity building forum held on Wednesday by the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development (DALFCD) in collaboration with the Agriculture and Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), the Sub-County and Ward Agricultural Officers were sensitized on plans to scale up sunflower farming across the county.

Through the initiative, AFA has allocated 6 tonnes of Kenya Fedha sunflower seeds, sourced from the Kenya Seed Company ltd, to be distributed to farmers at a subsidized rate. Under the model, farmers will buy one kilogram of seed at Ksh. 385 and get an additional kilogram free.

The programme aims to boost edible oil crop value chains, increase farmer incomes and promote local production of cooking oil in line with the county’s agricultural transformation agenda.

Makueni farmers to benefit from ‘Ndengu’ promotion

Makueni green gram farmers are set to reap big from the crop as the national government steps in to promote the crop as a model one for the county.

This was announced by Principal Secretary for Agriculture Hamadi Boga on Thursday during a county farmers’ field day at Kwa Kathoka KALRO farm, which the PS presided over on behalf of Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri.

The event was organized by the County Government in collaboration with the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services (KEPHIS) and was meant to educate farmers on smart agricultural practices and the appropriate seeds for maximum productivity.

Boga said the people of Makueni would be given an opportunity to choose one model crop that the ministry would promote through farmer capacity building, marketing and other value chain linkages to ensure maximum profitability.

The farmers, under the guardianship of the Agriculture Executive Committee Member Lawrence Nzunga picked ‘Ndengu’ as their preferred model crop.

Governor Kibwana, who hosted the PS, said out of the county government’s support and that of its partners, the acreage under pulses ( Beans, cowpeas, green grams and Dolichos) in the county has increased to 255,432 hectares with an estimated value of over Sh 8 Billion.

Kibwana said the County is now focusing on grain processing with plans a foot to construct the Makindu Integrated Grain Processing Facility to add value to pulses and enable farmers access both local and export markets.

MAKUENI FARMERS SET TO LEARN THROUGH DEMO PLOTS

The County Department of Agriculture on Monday held a sensitization forum for extension officers on the establishment and management of Ward Agriculture Demonstration Plots.

The one-day training focused on step-by-step guidance in key value chain sectors—apiculture, mango, poultry, tomato and dairy—aimed at equipping officers to better guide farmers on improved farming practices.

Speaking during the session, CECM Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development, Liz Muli, emphasized the importance of standardized procedures, clear timelines, and defined responsibilities in setting up demo plots.

“These demonstration sites will serve as practical classrooms where farmers can learn hands-on modern farming methods,” she noted.

The project will set up demonstration farms in every ward across the county, totalling 120 demos: 26 in apiculture, 22 in dairy, 24 in mango, 29 in poultry and 19 in tomato.

Funded by National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project, the initiative aims to promotes efficiency, accountability and transparency while strengthening knowledge transfer to farmers.

Once fully implemented, the program will enhance food security, create employment and economically empower farming households across the county.

MAKUENI FARMERS EXPO 2024:EMPOWERING FARMERS FOR GROWTH.

Makueni County Government in partnership with Remington Africa and other key agricultural suppliers on Thursday hosted its first-ever Makueni Farmers Expo in 2024.

The event designed to promote modern farming practices brought together industry experts, farmers and suppliers for an insightful learning experience.

The expo which was attended by Deputy Governor Hon. Lucy Mulili featured live demonstrations, training sessions and exhibits showcasing the latest farming technologies and practices.

Farmers in attendance grabbed the opportunity to learn about innovative ways to improve their agricultural skills and boost productivity.

In her speech, Mulili encouraged farmers to adopt modern farming techniques and technologies to help commercialize farming in Makueni.

She emphasized that this would not only improve farm yields but also empower local farmers economically.

The expo also served as a platform for networking, allowing farmers to connect with businesses and explore potential partnerships for growth.

Mulili was joined by Chief Officers Japheth Kiminza, Daniel Ndolo and Felistus Mutune, responsible for Livestock, Devolution and the Office of the Governor, respectively.

Makueni eyes solar energy to power its installations

Makueni County has entered into a partnership agreement with GIGAWATT Global, a developer and supplier of renewable energy installations, to install solar power generators at agreed upon facilities.

The goal of this project, governor Kivutha Kibwana says, is to provide cheap, reliable and clean energy to power public installations and later markets and villages not connected to the national power grid.

Ultimately, the collaboration will lead to development of a 40MW solar project to bridge the energy supply gap in the county.

Governor Kibwana was upbeat that this will revamp the local economy and create great opportunities especially for young people.

Some of the institutions targeted for connectivity include: Makueni Fruit Processing Plant, Makindu Grain Processing Plant, health facilities, learning institutions as well as water distributions points.

The agreement was signed by Governor Kibwana and the Chief Executive Officer GIGAWATT GLOBAL Mr. Josef Abramowitz in Nairobi on Tuesday.

MAKUENI EYES KYISA TITLE DEFENSE AFTER SUCCESSFUL MKJ SUPA CUP TALENT HUNT

Makueni County has made a significant stride towards defending its Kenya Youth Inter-County Sports Association (KYISA) Games title after successfully conducting talent scouting during the MKJ Supa Cup County Finals.

The MKJ Supa Cup served as a platform to select all-star teams in football, volleyball, handball, and basketball that will represent the county at the 11th edition of KYISA, scheduled to take place in Laikipia from 10th to 19th April 2026.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., who graced the closing ceremony of this year’s MKJ Supa Cup, said his administration continues to invest in sports infrastructure development to ensure more young people have opportunities to nurture their talents and secure recruitment into elite national clubs.

MAKUENI EXPLORES STRATEGIC DIGITAL PARTNERSHIP WITH OPEN UNIVERSITY OF KENYA TO EMPOWER YOUTH AND MSMEs

A team from Open University of Kenya on Wednesday paid a courtesy call to the CECM Department of ICT, Education, and Internship, where strategic discussions on collaboration areas were held to advance digital transformation in Makueni County.

The delegation was led by Dr. Kelvin Wachira Kangethe and Dr. Kikete Wabuya from the school of Business & Economics and school of Science & Technology respectively.

The engagement explored key partnership areas including digital learning across ECDEs, VTCs, ICT Centres, and innovation programs.

Notable proposals included organizing an open day to facilitate youth exposure visits to Konza Technopolis, as well as sourcing trainers in emerging technologies through Open University of Kenya to strengthen local capacity building initiatives.

Following the discussions, the team proceeded to the Makueni Tech and Innovation Hub where they conducted a digital literacy training for MSMEs. The session focused on equipping entrepreneurs with practical skills in digital marketing, use of digital business tools, data-driven decision-making, and inventory management enhancing their ability to compete and grow in the digital economy.

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MAKUENI EXPLORES PARTNERSHIP TO ENHANCE MEAT VALUE CHAIN

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.