Agriculture - Sacco Review | The Leading Newspaper for Co-operative Movement in Kenya

Murang’a rolls out digital maize seed distribution drive

Sacco ReviewJanuary 7, 202602 mins

Murang’a County Government has rolled out digital maize seed distribution to fast-track distribution of certified seedlings and farm inputs to 175,000 registered maize farmers. This follows the successful Christmas and New Year gifts pilot, where 350 shops reached 150,000 residents across nine sub-counties. Governor Irungu Kang’ata, speaking during the event, said the digital platform simplifies…

Gov’t unveils sweeping tea sector reforms to boost farmers’ earnings, global competitiveness

Sacco ReviewJanuary 6, 202605 mins

The government has unveiled far-reaching reforms aimed at transforming Kenya’s tea sector, raising smallholder farmers’ incomes and strengthening the country’s competitiveness in the global tea market. Under the new reform programme, smallholder tea farmers could earn up to Ksh100 per kilogramme of green leaf by 2027, nearly double the current average returns. Agriculture Cabinet Secretary…

Kenya exits COMESA sugar safeguard after 24 years

Sacco ReviewJanuary 4, 202607 mins

Kenya has formally withdrawn from the COMESA Sugar Safeguard regime after 24 years, marking what officials describe as a confident transition for the country’s sugar industry. Kenya Sugar Board Chief Executive Officer Jude Chesire said the safeguard, which expired on November 30, 2025, had achieved its purpose as a temporary, reform‑driven instrument to stabilize and…

Cane farmers praise President Ruto’s efforts to revive sugar sector

Sacco ReviewJanuary 3, 202603 mins

Cane farmers across Kenya have commended President William Ruto for his commitment to revamping the sugar sector, noting that his reforms are already bearing fruit. Led by Kenya National Federation of Sugar Cane Farmers Secretary General Killion Osur Anyango, the farmers said the president’s initiatives must be supported by other industry players to ensure smooth…

Ole Kina demands repeal of oppressive Coffee Act to free farmers

Sacco ReviewJanuary 3, 2026January 3, 202606 mins

Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina has renewed calls for radical reforms in Kenya’s coffee industry, urging the government to scrap the Coffee Act (Cap 333), which he described as oppressive and a stumbling block to farmer empowerment and fair pricing. In a statement issued Saturday, Ole Kina said the time had come to fully liberalise…

KTDA dismisses social media claims, affirms tea factories’ financial stability

Sacco ReviewJanuary 3, 202604 mins

The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) has assured more than 650,000 smallholder tea farmers that all factories under its management remain financially sound, dismissing social media reports suggesting otherwise as misleading and malicious. In a statement released Friday, the agency termed claims that some factories are borrowing to survive or facing auctioneer threats as “false…

Speaker Wetang’ula pledges to champion coffee farming revival in Bungoma

Sacco ReviewDecember 26, 202503 mins

The Coffee Revival Movement has recently gained fresh momentum in Western Kenya after National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula committed to supporting the KahawaNiDollar campaign. Addressing residents in Bungoma County, Wetang’ula pledged to spearhead efforts to restore coffee farming as a central economic pillar, urging communities to re-embrace the crop and revive its former glory. He…

Leaders, farmers laud Meru Dairy CEO Gitonga over prudent use of farmers’ funds

Sacco ReviewDecember 24, 202505 mins

Leaders and farmers in Meru County have lauded Meru Dairy Cooperative Union Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Gitonga for prudent management of farmers’ resources, citing investments that are beginning to yield tangible benefits. The praise was voiced during the official handover of machinery for the Meru Dairy Maziwa Millers Factory at Mitunguu in South Imenti, an…

Gov’t unveils KSh3.5B tea reforms to modernize factories, cut costs and speed up farmer payments

Sacco ReviewDecember 22, 2025December 22, 202505 mins

The government has launched a Sh3.5 billion reform package for Kenya’s tea industry following an audit that exposed deep weaknesses in governance, financial management and operational efficiency across dozens of processing plants. The programme is designed to restore farmer confidence and raise earnings by modernizing 19 factories, lowering fertilizer costs and strengthening irrigation, with a…

KUSPAW calls for nationwide strike over KSh1.9 billion unpaid arrears at leased sugar mills

Sacco ReviewDecember 20, 202504 mins

The Kenya Union of Sugarcane Plantation and Allied Workers (KUSPAW) has announced a nationwide strike from Monday, citing the government’s failure to settle salary and terminal benefits arrears owed to workers at leased state-owned mills, estimated at about KSh1.9 billion. Union Secretary General Francis Wangara said employees at Muhoroni, Chemelil, Nzoia and Sony Sugar will…