Smart farms

: 18 November 2021; Hits: 6793

Gov’t announces rise in sugar buying price

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By George Munene

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya has announced an increase on sugar prices from the current Ksh3,833 per tonne to Ksh4,112 per tonne, effective November 18th 2021.

Therefore, the CS has directed cane millers to adhere to the new prices while making payments to the farmers, noting that any farmer being paid less should report to the Agriculture and Food Authority for redress.

In a press statement CS Munya has said that the Sugar Industry has witnessed a steady increase in sugar production due to enhanced investments by both the government and private sector players.

“Sugar production increase is due to improved availability of sugarcane in all sugar growing areas attributed to favourable weather conditions and improved cane prices,” he added.

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: 16 November 2021; Hits: 10328

Mango export prices up over 5× after Kenya lifts self imposed EU ban

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By George Munene

The lifting of a self imposed ban on mango exportation to the European market has led to an increase in the price fetched for the fruit from one to three shilling to Sh15 a piece.

The eight year ban was imposed by Kenyan authorities to tackle the poor quality of mangoes that were often intercepted by EU custom officials due to fruit flies.

The European Union has approved the move after tests conducted showed reduced levels of pest incidence.

One year after the re-entry of the European Union market, mango demand has risen considerably as farmers had been exclusively exporting to the Middle Eastern market.

“As the export market reopens farmers should look to work closely with each other and with extension officers to avoid brokers who might want to take advantage of them. With time farmers with medium to large farms will abandon less lucrative crops in favour of mangoes, ” said Runyenjes MP Muchangi Karemba at a field day held for mango farmers at Karurumo, Runyenjes.

With the end of the ban, mango farmers have reported the fruit’s exporters flocking to their farms. Despite this, stiff export requirements and the prevalence of fruit flies means most Kenyan mango farmers will be excluded from the potential windfall.

Farmers in Kenya’s Eastern region; Kitui, Makueni, Machakos, Embu, Meru; are set to be the biggest beneficiaries as the account for 61 per cent of the country’s mango production.

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: 12 November 2021; Hits: 8228

Agriculture Development Corporation imports 19 S.A bulls to raise semen output

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By George Munene

The Agriculture Development Corporation(ADC) has imported 19 mature bulls from South Africa at a cost of Sh14 million that will help increase the output of semen for dairy farmers by over 30 per cent over the next 12 months.

“We have already subsidised the cost of semen from Sh2000 to Sh200 per dose at our offices in Kitale and these bulls will give farmers a 98 percent surety of conception. We expect that this will add tremendous value to our farmers and have a marked improvement in the lives of cattle keepers in the country”, explained ADC Managing Director Mohammed Bulle.

The bulls comprise of seven superior breeds that include Friesian, Guernsey, Ayrshire, Red Angus, Hereford, and Simental breeds that were scouted from breeders in Western, East Cafe and Free State. This will help give Kenyan farmers improved breed diversity across various common beef and dairy breeds.

In two weeks time, the imported bulls will join 40 of the 51 bulls that are in production at ADC’s Kitale station and will increase semen production from 30,000 doses per month to 50,000 doses per month which will be a very big boost in production for farmers.

“Farmers can now source for certified semen from ADC offices and organisations mandated to handle semen in the country instead of sourcing for expensive imported semen from untrustworthy sources when this bulls are already in the country,” added Bulle.

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