Nakuru: The government has made key environmental and agricultural policy shifts that are geared towards the revival of the pyrethrum industry. In the new dispensation, the government has implemented the ban on the use of over 77 harmful pesticides and restricted the use of 100 others in a bid to make Kenyan pyrethrum competitive in the global market.
According to Kenya News Agency, this key environmental and agricultural policy shift creates an opportunity for Kenya to reclaim its position in the global pyrethrin value chain as well as modernise the sector to meet the market demands. Pyrethrum farmers in Nakuru County, Kenya's leading pyrethrum producer, are now set for a boost in the crop's earnings following the renewed national government's initiative to fully revive the country's once thriving pyrethrum industry.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe made the remarks at the 2025 Nakuru National Agricultural Show, where he was accompanied by Nakuru Deputy Governor David Kones. The CS called upon local and international investors to source pyrethrin directly from Kenyan farmers as he advocated for local processing to generate employment and enhance farmers' incomes. 'We are working hard to make sure that we solve the challenges facing the pyrethrum farmers by also ensuring they are paid on time for their deliveries,' he stated.
The Cabinet Secretary further outlined additional interventions designed to support farmers across various agricultural value chains. He revealed that discussions were underway to waive import duties on yellow maize and soya, two critical inputs for livestock feed manufacturing. Kagwe said this measure is expected to significantly reduce production costs for farmers, subsequently leading to lower production costs, especially within the dairy sector and therefore translating into better returns for their investment.
In his remarks, the Deputy Governor highlighted some of the key County projects designed to boost agricultural production by leveraging Nakuru's immense potential in the sector. Kones said that to support the pyrethrum sector, the County government has distributed certified seedlings and other planting materials worth Ksh 146,411,264 to 10,995 farmers in the last three years.
The County, he added, has also distributed 394,389 grafted Avocado seedlings valued at Ksh 131,379,322 to over 17,103 farmers and 42 metric tonnes of maize seed to 10,500 vulnerable families in all the Sub counties. Dr Kones noted that the County had also constructed 10 milk cooling plants to support the dairy industry, with eight of them already fully equipped.
He reiterated the Susan Kihika-led Administration's plans to empower farmers in all sub-sectors in the County with a view to making agriculture a viable investment. Also present were County Executives Leonard Bor (Agriculture) and Stephen Kuria (Trade); ASK Central Rift Chairperson Dr. Perminus Migwi; ASK National Chairperson Ms. Annabel Kiriinya; and the ASK CEO Batram Muthoka, among others.