The Makueni county government intends to commercialize key agricultural value chains by increasing productivity, improving market access and also doing value addition to their produce.
Among the crops that they will focus on include mango, avocado, citrus, vegetables and tomato and pulses (green grams and pigeon peas), livestock (dairy and poultry) and industrial crops like coffee, macadamia, sunflower, cotton and other high-value enterprises.
Consequently, governor Mutula Kilonzo said that the venture will be achieved through increasing the scale of production by mobilizing farmers into organized groups and cooperatives, strengthening extension services to provide right knowledge and skills to farmers.
Farmers will also access quality farm inputs and certified seeds, enhance pest and disease control, promote climate-smart technologies to build resilience against climate change and facilitate market linkages, produce aggregation and value addition hence ensure farmers get good prices for their produce.
The governor made these remarks at the Makueni Integrated Vocational Education Centre (MIVEC), where he launched the Agripreneur Model and County Protection Unit that will transform agriculture in the area.
“These initiatives mark a new chapter in our journey to transform agriculture from subsistence to a commercial and profitable sector that improves livelihoods and drives economic growth,” said Mutula Jr.
He disclosed that his government has already made significant strides toward commercialization particularly for mango value chain by establishing a mango marketing framework noting they have operationalized Makueni County Horticultural Pack House and partnership with mango exporters.
The Governor also revealed that they have operationalized Makueni Fruit Processing Plant and procured mangoes from farmer cooperatives, operationalized mango juice processing line that is now fully commercialized and partnered with 18 mango offtakes including processors, traders and lead farmers.
“As a result, we have witnessed minimal post-harvest losses during the ongoing mango season. Cases of poor prices and malpractices in mango marketing have reduced significantly. I commend the Department of Agriculture and mango lead farmers for tireless efforts in organizing and streamlining mango marketing,” said the governor.
The governor further said that in order to sustain the achievements and expand market access, they are in the process of establishing a pack house that will meet the international export standards besides establishing a low-pest zone covering 4,000 hectares in Mbooni, Kaiti and Kilome sub counties.
“We shall maintain the existing low-pest zone in Kibwezi east and Kibwezi West, this will ensure our mango and other fruit exports meet international phytosanitary standards,” he said.
“Going forward, we will apply the same structured marketing approach to other value chains, to ensure farmers across the county benefit from better prices, organized marketing systems and value addition opportunities,” he added.
During the event, Mutula unveiled 210 Agriprenuers who will give advisory services to farmers, connect them with service providers of farm and mechanization, inputs, aggregation of products and linkages to markets, accessing financial services support and support in loan application.
The Agriprenuers will also add value to basic agricultural commodities that will be sold directly to consumers, while diversifying their income by offering farm tours and educational workshops to farmers and also offering specialized services like soil testing, spraying and harrowing, AI services and herd management, as well as post-harvest handling.
The crop protection unit will conduct effective and efficient management and control of pests and diseases in crops in the county through a dedicated team of spray service providers who are skilled.
“To achieve this, the County Government through the department of Agriculture in collaboration with the national Government through The Plant Protection and Food Safety Directorate, Food and agriculture Organization (FAO), Agrochemicals Association of Kenya (AAK) have trained 60 Spray Service providers (SSP), who are now equipped on safe and effective use of pest control products to ensure safety of produce, while mitigating harmful effects of the environment,” Mutula said.
Speaking at the same event, the County Executive for agriculture Joyce Mutua said the crop protection unit is to ensure the county has food security in an effort to be food secure.
By Patrick Nyakundi and Albanus Kioko
