Department of Agriculture Livestock and Fisheries

27/10/2025

Taita Taveta has today recorded a major milestone in its quest to become a leading producer of edible oils and related products following the distribution of seven tonnes of sunflower seeds to over 3,500 farmers across the county.

The initiative, implemented by the County Government in partnership with the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), is part of a broader strategy to boost local oil production and strengthen the sunflower value chain.

It comes just days after the groundbreaking of the Taveta Sunflower Processing Plant, a key investment expected to revolutionize the county’s agribusiness landscape.

According to the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Livestock Development, Irrigation, Cooperatives, and Blue Economy, Dawson Katuu Mzenge , the programme aims to empower sunflower farmers to scale up production and sustain the upcoming processing facilities.

"We have distributed these seeds in areas that have shown great potential to ensure that the processing plants we are establishing will have adequate raw materials once they begin operations,” said Mzenge.

The Chief Officer for Agriculture, Mr. Mcharo Mwalugha, noted that the county government continues to prioritize value addition initiatives to ensure farmers reap maximum benefits from their produce.

“The County Government has put a lot of effort into promoting value addition for farm produce to ensure that every farmer in Taita Taveta gains maximum benefit,” he said.

The sunflower seed distribution programme reflects the county’s commitment to transforming agriculture into a profitable and sustainable sector.

By investing in production and processing infrastructure, Taita Taveta aims to boost oil production, enhance farmer incomes, and create employment opportunities. With the Taveta Sunflower Processing Plant underway, the county is steadily positioning itself as a regional hub for oilseed production and agribusiness innovation.

15/01/2025

The County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for Agriculture, Livestock, Irrigation, Cooperative Development, and Blue Economy, Katuu Mzenge, presided over the signing of performance contracts by departmental Chief Officers and reviewed performance reports for the period spanning July 2024 to June 2025.

In his address, Mzenge underscored the importance of performance contracts as a key driver for achieving departmental objectives.

"This document serves as a critical guide, outlining specific service delivery targets we are committed to achieving each quarter. These targets are clear, measurable, and verifiable, ensuring accountability and providing a solid framework for continuous assessment and improvement," he said.

He further stressed the need for a cultural shift within the department to align operations with service delivery expectations, ensuring efficiency on the ground.

Chief Officer for Agriculture, Stephen Mcharo, stated plans to hold Agriculture Field Days in each sub-county to equip farmers with practical skills aimed at improving farming practices, increasing productivity, and enhancing livelihoods. He emphasized that these initiatives would play a significant role in strengthening food security across the community.

Mcharo also highlighted the urgency of completing stalled projects within the year to prevent losses. He called for prioritizing ongoing projects to minimize cases of vandalism and neglect leading to loss of public funds.

Chief Officer for Livestock, Paul Maneno, expressed confidence in the county's agricultural potential, emphasizing the transformative impact of focus and increased productivity.

"Whatever we failed to deliver in 2024 must become a priority this year. Our officers must have a visible presence in every corner of the county to achieve our goals," he affirmed.

07/01/2025

Farmers in Taita Taveta County are being urged to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases of Banana Bunchy Top Disease (BBTD) to enable prompt intervention.

This disease poses a serious threat to food security, making early detection and immediate action essential to mitigate its impact.

BBTD is a viral disease that has already been reported in Uganda and Tanzania and poses a significant risk to banana production in Kenya, potentially causing yield losses of up to 90-100%.

The disease is characterised by stunted growth, upright leaves, brittle yellow edges, and distinct dark green streaks on the banana pseudostem.

The primary spread of BBTD occurs through aphid vectors, infected planting materials, and human movement, thereby jeopardising one of the country's staple crops.

In response to this concern, the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (Kephis), in collaboration with the Taita Taveta County Government, held a sensitisation workshop for agriculture extension officers in Taveta aiming to equip the officers with knowledge about the symptoms of BBTD, the factors that contribute to its spread, and effective management strategies.

Key concerns raised during the workshop included the importance of strict control over planting materials, surveillance, and quarantine measures.

Sospeter Gachamba, a senior inspector from Kephis, emphasised the need for cooperation, stating, “Early reporting and collective efforts are crucial to safeguarding the banana industry.”

He highlighted the necessity for collaboration among farmers, extension officers, and regulatory bodies to protect Kenya’s banana production and ensure food security.

06/01/2025

Wafugaji wa ng'ombe wa maziwa kaunti hii wameshauriwa kujiunga kwa vyama vya ushirika, hatua ambayo itawapa nguvu ya kukabiliana na madalali.

Akizungumza kwenye mkutano na wanachama wa kikundi cha Kuzoya Farming, Waziri wa Kilimo, Ufugaji,Vyama vya ushirika na Uchumi samawati, Katuu Mzenge, amesisitiza umuhimu wa wafugaji kuungana kupitia vyama vya ushirika ili kuwaondoa madalali ambao wamekuwa wakiwanyanyasa wakulima kwa miaka mingi kwa kununua maziwa kwa bei ya chini.

Mzenge ameongeza kuwa mitambo ya kuhifadhi maziwa, na ambayo imekaa kwa muda bila kutumika maenek kadha kaunti hii inaweza kuhamishwa kwenda maeneo yenye vyama vya ushirika vilivyo hai ambavyo huzalisha maziwa kwa wingi.

"Tunaweza kuongeza viwango vyatu vya uzalishaji maziwa endapo tutajitolea katika ufugaji na kuwekeza ipasavyo. Hatua hii itatusaidia kuongeza faida hivyo kuboresha maisha yetu," alisema, huku akiahidi kuhakikisha vifaa vilivyolala bila kutumika vinatumika ipasavyo.

Serikali ya Gavana Dkt. Andrew Mwadime-Wakujaa EGH, kupitia idara ya mifugo ina mipango ya kuhakikisha wakulima wote wa mifugo wanapata huduma bora za AI kwa gharama nafuu.

Afisa wa Mifugo, Dan Boli, amewataka wafugaji kuhakikisha wanapanda nyasi ya kutosha, akiwashauri kila mfugaji kupanda angalau ekari moja ya nyasi aina ya Napier kwa kila ng’ombe. Ameeleza kuwa hatua hii haitahakikisha tu kuwa uzalishaji unaimarika, bali pia itawasaidia wakulima kukabiliana na changamoto za ukosefu wa lishe bora kwa mifugo wakati wa kiangazi.

Mwenyekiti wa Kikundi cha Kuzoya Farming, Nashon Mwadime,amesema wanalenga kuanzisha kituo cha kukusanya maziwa, kupata mifugo bora, kufanikisha upatikanaji wa vifaa vya mbegu bora za uzazi, kuongeza thamani ya maziwa, na kupata masoko bora yatakayowanufaisha wanachama na jamii.

"Kwa miaka mingi, wakulima wamehangaika bila kupata faida kubwa. Hata hivyo, tunaamini kuwa kwa kushughulikia changamoto hizi, tunaweza hatimaye kupiga hatua na kubadilisha maisha ya wanachama wetu," alisema Mwadime.

26/04/2024

The County Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Irrigation, and Blue Economy organized a sensitization meeting with members of the County Assembly aimed to acknowledge their importance of fostering the implementation of the National Agriculture Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP)

During the meeting, The Honorable members were taken through the expected project deliverables. This Project aims at increased Marketing and Value Addition around the five targeted Value Chains namely Dairy, Irish Potato, Poultry, Green grams, and Banana.

The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Agriculture, Mr. Eric Kyongo', explained that NAVCDP main objective is to build producer capacity for climate-resilient, stronger value chains, overseeing project coordination and management in the County. The CECM further emphasized that the implementation of the project in all County wards will promote better agriculture production methods and open up markets for value-added goods from local farmers.

NAVCDP is funded by the World Bank, National government, and the county government, seeking to improve the livelihoods of farmers and strengthen the agricultural sector in the county.

Sub-county and ward technical officers from all the 20 wards are undergoing training ready to embark on grassroot entry meetings at the Ward level, formation of Community Driven Development Committees (CDDC) Multipurpose producer Organization and SACCO through Participatory Integrated Community Development (PICD).

The training is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the PICD process and equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to execute effectively.

In attendance
House Speaker Hon. Wisdom Mwamburi,
Deputy Speaker Hon. Anselim Chao,
Chair Committee of Agriculture Hon. Stephen Nzai
and his counter part on Implementation Committee Peter Shambi, County Chief officer of Agriculture, Livestock, Irrigation and Blue Economy Mr. Stephen Mcharo Directors Dr. Jeremiah Ngugi, Doris Kiia and County Project Coordinator Andrew Mbinga

23/04/2024

Join Hon. Erick Kyongo, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) of Agriculture, Livestock, Irrigation, and Blue Economy, tonight on Mwanedu FM 96.1 from 8pm to 9pm. The main topic of discussion will be the National Agriculture Value Chain Development Project (NAVCOP), subsidized fertilizer, farmer empowerment, irrigation, livestock, and other agriculture-related issues.This will be an informative discussion that you won't want to miss!

01/08/2023

Mghange Dawida Milk Cooling Plant and Value Addition Plant

16/10/2021

17/09/2021

https://youtu.be/sm3KpnU8h-k

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17/09/2021

Boosting Fish Production:

Taita Taveta has partnered with the Go Blue Economy programme to revive over 350 fishponds within the county to boost fish production.

Plans are also underway to have a value addition for the commodity.

“Boosting Fish Production: Taita Taveta has partnered with the Go Blue Economy programme to revive over 350 fishponds within the county to boost fish production. Plans are also underway to have a value addition for the commodity. https://t.co/UkxzZAITpy”