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

Ruto pledges fertiliser price cut to boost food production

Sacco ReviewAugust 3, 202605 mins

President William Ruto pledged to reduce fertiliser and seed prices from next year to encourage farmers to increase food production. Farmers were urged to take advantage of the expected short rains after failed rains caused widespread crop losses and reduced harvests. The government plans to construct 50 mega dams, 200 medium sized dams and 1,000…

Kandara farmers earn certification to export avocados, mangoes

Sacco ReviewAugust 3, 202606 mins

Farmers in Gatuura, Murang’a, have received certification to export avocados, mangoes and other horticultural produce to international markets. Farmers said the certification process required soil and water testing, farm inspections, documentation and audits, with some dropping out due to its complexity. Trademark Africa said 22 more farmer groups in Murang’a are pursuing certification, while farmers…

Gov’t targets threefold boost in bixa production for farmers

Sacco ReviewJuly 31, 2026July 31, 202605 mins

Government plans to triple Kenya’s annual bixa production to at least 3,000 tonnes through certified seedlings, extension services, farmer cooperatives and affordable financing. Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe said the initiative will increase farmer incomes, create jobs and strengthen rural economies by expanding the bixa value chain along the Coast. Farmers currently earn about Ksh 152,000…

Oparanya calls for action on coffee sector reforms

Sacco ReviewJuly 31, 2026July 31, 202604 mins

CS Wycliffe Oparanya urged investors and cooperatives to act on coffee sector reforms to revive Kenya’s coffee industry. The government has disbursed over KSh6 billion through the Coffee Cherry Advance Revolving Fund to support smallholder farmers. Oparanya said the Cooperative Societies Bill and other reforms will strengthen governance and boost the sector’s recovery. Cooperatives and…

Kisumu hands over Pap Konam Agricultural Training Centre to KSA

Sacco ReviewJuly 31, 202607 mins

Kisumu has completed the Pap Konam Agricultural Training Centre and will hand it over to the Kenya School of Agriculture. The centre will offer training in modern agriculture to boost farmer skills, livestock productivity and incomes. Pap Konam becomes the 10th campus of the Kenya School of Agriculture The County Government of Kisumu has completed…

Bura irrigation investors eye more jobs as sugar, rice projects take shape

Sacco ReviewJuly 31, 202605 mins

Investors are expanding sugarcane and rice projects at Bura Irrigation Scheme, creating new jobs. Sukari Industries has begun seed cane development and plans to build a sugar processing factory. Local leaders welcomed the investment, citing jobs and infrastructure development. Investors at Bura Irrigation Scheme in Tana River County are set to expand jobs after securing…

Inside the Mwea project trying to end Kenya’s rice imports

Sacco ReviewJuly 30, 202608 mins

A Ksh 580 million Korea funded rice seed project in Mwea aims to reduce Kenya’s rice deficit by producing high quality certified seeds. The K Rice Belt Project will produce about 700 tonnes of certified rice seed annually and train farmers on modern farming technologies. The initiative seeks to cut rice imports, boost farmer yields…

Kwale sugar factory revival plan promises jobs, payouts

Sacco ReviewJuly 30, 2026July 30, 202606 mins

Government launches a multi stakeholder plan to revive Kwale International Sugar Company and restore jobs. Farmers to receive Ksh 66 million in pending payments as part of efforts to restart sugarcane production. Revival targets higher local sugar production, reduced imports and renewed economic activity across the Coast region. The national government has launched an ambitious…

Migori farmers rush for subsidised fertiliser as short rains near

Sacco ReviewJuly 29, 202606 mins

Hundreds of Migori farmers are flocking to NCPB depots to buy subsidised fertiliser and certified maize seeds ahead of the expected short rains. NCPB says it has adequate fertiliser and seed stocks, urging farmers to buy only from authorised depots as concerns emerge over middlemen and limited DAP supplies. Farmers hope timely rains and access…

Mombasa tea auction sales dip as new levy bite

Sacco ReviewJuly 29, 2026July 29, 202607 mins

Smallholder tea sales at the Mombasa Tea Auction fell to 128.6 million kg from 138.8 million kg a year earlier. Exporters blame the new Ksh 2.28 per kg tea levy for reducing demand from international buyers. TBK says the levy will fund tea price stabilisation, research and sector infrastructure. Smallholder tea factories sold 128,554,359kgs of…