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Agriculture

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.

AVOCADO FARMERS RECEIVE ORGANIC FERTILIZER

Ilima Ward: March 20, 2024

Avocado Farmers Receive Organic Fertilizer

A total of 306 avocado farmers from Ilima Ward have received 15.3 metric tonnes of organic fertilizer to bolster productivity.

The initiative is a ward project which was requested by the farmers through public participation.

The distribution exercise was led by Agriculture and Irrigation Chief Officer Dr. Victoria Kyallo on Wednesday at the Ward Administration office.

FARMERS RECEIVE DROUGHT- RESISTANT SEEDS

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.

FARMERS RECEIVE SEEDS FOR PASTURE ESTABLISHMENT

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.

MAKUENI FARMERS URGED TO JOIN SACCOS

Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development Chief Officer Japheth Kiminza encouraged Makueni farmers to consider joining saccos. By doing so, they can access affordable credit options that will help them increase their agricultural productivity and profitability.
Kiminza emphasized that saccos offer opportunities for farmers to save money and borrow loans with the sole aim of starting or expanding their agri-businesses.
Speaking on Thursday at Kalawa during the launch of Kalawa Farmers Sacco offices, Kiminza stated that government agencies and partners support farmers who are members of saccos or cooperatives.
The chairperson for Kalawa Farmers Sacco, Peter Mwanthi reported a membership of 335 with a cash base amounting to Sh. 345,000.
However, he expressed his commitment towards mobilizing more members to join the sacco in order to attain a minimum membership qualification required by the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) which is set at 600.
Mwanthi further promised to ensure full compliance with the Cooperatives Act, rules and regulations while running Sacco operations.

BUILDING CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURE

A private investor is set to put up an ultra modern organic Millet and Sorghum processing plant in Kibwezi targeting 1,000 farmers.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr and Organic Millet Team leader Virendra Karsanji Rawal on Tuesday inked a partnership deal for establishment of the plant.

The project is set to promote cultivation, processing and marketing of millet and sorghum to enhance food security, promote sustainable development and economic well being of farmers

MAKUENI, ANGLICAN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AND MICRO ENTERPRISES SUPPORT PROGRAMME TRUST EASTERN INVEST SHS.11 MILLION TO SPONSOR 480 TRAINEES ON AGRICULTURAL SKILLS.

The county Government of Makueni,  Anglican Development Services Eastern (ADSE) and Micro Enterprises Support Programme Trust(MESPT) have invested Shs.11 Million to fully sponsor 480 trainees, including youth and women farmers, for agricultural skills training at the Makueni Agricultural Training Centre in Kwakathoka.

This was disclosed by the Agriculture and Irrigation Executive Joyce Mutua on Friday evening during the closing assembly ceremony that marked their transition to industrial attachment opportunities.

 According to Mutua, the funds covered tuition fees, accommodation, meals, and exam fees for the 3-month coursework.

“The course cost approximately Shs.11 Million with a 25% contribution from the county government while ADSE contributed 60%. MESPT contributed15%,” said Mutua.

This first cohort of trainees comprises 60 youth and 420 women farmers who underwent comprehensive training on horticulture courses as well as dairy and poultry farming over a duration of three months before proceeding for an additional farm-based practical program lasting another three months in various established agribusiness ventures within and outside Makueni County.

Further, Mutua observed that the women farmers also received extensive training through farmer field schools and will continue until May when both groups will graduate after completing their respective training.    

Agriculture and Irrigation Chief Officer Dr. Victoria Kyalo who also graced the ceremony added that upon completion, some of the trainees will receive start-up capital for their agri-business investments.

However, Mutua stressed that subsequent cohorts will share training costs with both partners to ensure program sustainability going forward.

AFTER YEARS OF RECURRING FAILED RAINY SEASONS, MAKUENI HAS ACHIEVED A 60% INCREASE IN ITS AGRICULTURAL YIELD.

Farmers are now celebrating their bumper harvests, thanks to the County Government of Makueni and its Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development.

The department provided high-quality seeds for maize, beans, cowpeas and green grams to 27,000 households in need.

Furthermore, the county established seven fertilizer depots which have significantly reduced the distance farmers used to travel to access fertilizers.

These stores include Kikima and Tawa in Mbooni Sub-County; Mukuyuni in Kaiti Sub-County; Kithumani and Kitise in Makueni Sub-County; Kasikeu in Kilome Sub-County; as well as Kilungu situated within Kaiti Sub-County.

Mutula Kilonzo Jr

GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO JR HOSTED AGRICULTURE & LIVESTOCK CS MITHIKA LINTURI IN MAKUENI WHERE HE COMMISSIONED THE UTANGWA IRRIGATION SCHEME AND ITS AGGREGATION CENTER.

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.