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Makueni County Feted for Stellar Performance in the implementation of NARIGP

Makueni County has been feted by the World Bank for commendable performance in the implementation of the National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP).
 
The County emerged position three for the period between 2019 and 2023 for satisfactorily implementing NARIGP in the 20 selected wards in Makueni.Trans-Nzoia and Nakuru Counties took the first and the second positions respectively.
NARIGP is a 5-year Government of Kenya project that is implemented through the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock Fisheries and Irrigation with funding support from the World Bank.
 
The project’s goal is to increase agricultural productivity and profitability of targeted rural communities in selected Counties, and in the event of an Eligible Crisis or Emergency, to provide immediate and effective response.
 
According to the World Bank, Makueni County had funded more than 600 micro-projects across the four value chains namely mangoes, green grams, poultry and tomatoes.
 
In addition, the county had trained over 10,000 farmers on agriculture best practices and had adopted new technologies for increasing productivity. These were some of the county performance indicators used by the World Bank to rank the counties
According to the County Project Coordinator Paul Musyimi who received the award on behalf of the County on 7th of June 2023 in Mombasa, “We have supported over 700 groups and 24,000 farmers in Makueni to start micro-projects in tomatoes, poultry, green grams and mangoes.”
 
Musyimi also revealed that they had spent over Sh 700 Million since the inception of the project in 2017, to empower local farmers with the aim of increasing agricultural productivity and profitability.
 
Apart from funding and capacity-building farmers, a key premise of the National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP) is the importance of linking farmers or Common Interest Groups (CIGs) and Vulnerable and Marginalized Groups (VMGs) organized along priority Value Chains to markets.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Makueni County Farmer Seed Multiplication Program

Ms Joyce Mutua , CECM Agriculture, irrigation, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development joined members of Ngamiteka CBO in Kibwezi West, Nguumo ward for the 1st  inspection of green gram community seed production.The certified green gram seed requirement for Makueni county stand at 903,352 kg against a supply of 361,340.8kg, by among others KALRO Katumani, Simlaw seeds ltd and dryland seeds. The low access to certified seeds causes farmers to plant own seed (uncertified) totaling to 542,011.2kg P.A hence poor production and increased grain market deficits.

To address the gap, ASDSP II funded an innovation proposal by Ngamiteka CBO to produce green gram community seed.  Makueni County with support from ASDSP II program partnered with Egerton University to provide technical support to Ngamiteka CBO to produce KS20 green gram seed variety. A total of 50 farmers each with 5 acres (a total 250acres) were identified in 16 ward and were supported with ripping services, training on seed production, provided with basic seeds, fertilizer, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, jute bags and inspection services.  Seed inspector from Egerton University visiting Ngamiteka CBO members for the 1st inspection of crop establishment. The 2nd inspection scheduled at mid-January 2023, followed by harvesting and storage of planting seeds in jute bags. The farmers are expected to produce 100 metric tons of KS20 green gram seed variety by February 2023.

 

Dr. Tuiyot, Seed Inspector conducting 1st crop inspection

MAKUENI COUNTY, FADHILI TRUST SEAL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP TO BOOST SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The Government of Makueni County has entered into a strategic partnership with Fadhili Trust following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing sustainable and inclusive development across the county.

The MoU was signed at the Makueni County Headquarters, marking the start of a collaborative framework that will leverage shared resources, expertise, and innovation to improve the livelihoods of Makueni residents.

Speaking during the ceremony, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. underscored the critical role of partnerships in driving sustainable development. He further noted that the collaboration with Fadhili Trust comes at an opportune time and aligns with the county’s development agenda, emphasizing inclusive growth and long-term impact.

Fadhili Trust Executive Director, Josephine Munywoki described the partnership as a catalyst for unlocking Makueni County’s potential in key priority sectors. She outlined areas of cooperation that include agriculture and livestock production, gender equality, education, water access, clean energy, and the empowerment of youth and women.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by senior county and institutional officials, among them County Secretary Dr. Justine Kyambi, County Attorney Stanley Nthiwa, and Fadhili Trust Project Officer Matthew Mutembei.

MAKUENI COUNTY EYES GLOBAL MARKETS WITH NEW HORTICULTURE PACKHOUSE PLANS

Makueni County has stepped up efforts to improve the handling and marketing of horticultural produce amid rising production and recurring seasonal gluts.

A joint team from the county’s Departments of Agriculture and Transport and Infrastructure on Thursday conducted a benchmarking visit to the Horticulture Crops Development (HCD) Centre at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to assess requirements for establishing and operating a standard pack house.

The delegation, led by Agriculture CECM Elizabeth Muli and Transport and Infrastructure CECM Eng. Peter Mumo, held consultations with HCD officials on pack house design standards and best practices in produce handling that meet international quality and export requirements.

HCD Deputy Director for Regulation and Compliance Collins Otieno said proper produce protection is critical for maintaining quality, meeting export standards, and enabling efficient aggregation to enhance market competitiveness.

Makueni County currently operates packhouses and cold rooms at Kalawani, Kavuthu, and Kalongo, and plans to strengthen market linkages while developing a mega packhouse to reduce post-harvest losses and improve farmer returns.

MAKUENI COUNTY EXPLORES RENEWABLE ENERGY COLLABORATION WITH BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Wednesday met a high powered delegation from the British High Commission Office to discuss potential collaborations and funding opportunities for renewable energy projects in Makueni County.

The discussions highlighted several areas of cooperation, including:

Establishing an enabling environment for renewable energy projects;

Capacity-building initiatives for local administrators in renewable energy management

Resource mobilization for innovative renewable energy technologies and

Transitioning grid-powered projects to solar-powered systems.

Robina Abuya from the British High Commission who led the delegation to Makueni detailed prospective grant programs aimed at supporting these initiatives. She emphasized the importance of accessing international development funds for clean energy, which can reduce reliance on fossil fuels, combat climate change, and stimulate economic growth.

Makueni County Executive Committee Members and the County Attorney take oath of office

Makueni County Executive Committee Members and the County Attorney take oath of office on Tuesday, 8th, November 2022 at the County headquarters, Wote.

The Executive Committee now begins the onerous journey of delivering H.E Mutula Kilonzo Jnr’s development clarion call, “Wauni wa Kwika Nesa” to the people of Makueni.

 

PICTURES: Makueni County Executive Committee Members and County Attorney swearing-in at the County headquarters, Wote.