Kirinyaga farmers are experiencing a farming boom due to a seedlings propagation centre established by the county government. The centre, located in Kangai, provides quality planting materials closer to farms, reducing production costs and improving crop performance. Commissioned last year, the facility has the capacity to produce up to 400,000 seedlings for horticultural crops. The centre is part of Governor Anne Waiguru's Wezesha Kirinyaga programme, aimed at supporting local farmers.
The Seedlings Propagation Centre has improved farmers' access to certified, disease-free seedlings, reducing the cost and time spent sourcing planting materials from private suppliers. Agriculture executive John Gachara stated that access to clean planting materials had been a major challenge for horticultural farmers. The centre uses certified seed and modern propagation technology to produce seedlings under controlled conditions, while farmers receive agronomic advice on crop establishment and management.
The centre has sold over 100,000 seedlings in the past two seasons, allowing farmers to access planting materials locally instead of travelling to private suppliers within Kirinyaga or as far as Naivasha. Farmers are saving approximately Sh200 per tray of seedlings and Sh1,000 on transport costs. Cabbage, tomato, and sukuma wiki farmer Daniel Githaka said the centre has lowered prices and given farmers greater confidence in the quality of seedlings.
The centre has become a training facility for farmers through its link with the Kirinyaga Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training Centre. Gachara stated that farmers are being trained on appropriate agronomic practices, with the county planning to hold about three farmer field days every year. The centre has reduced the logistical burden faced by farmers, particularly those who previously had to travel long distances to buy seedlings.
Tomato farmer John Muchoki said having the facility within reach had enabled him to save both time and money, allowing him to concentrate more on farm activities. He noted that the agronomic guidance provided at the facility was helping farmers make better decisions on crop establishment and management. Another tomato farmer, Michael Mwangi, credited the availability of improved varieties with better yields and increased returns from his farm.
The centre has reduced the price of tomato seedlings from Sh2,200 to Sh2,000 per crate, while capsicum seedlings have dropped from Sh1,200 to Sh1,000. Farmer Sammy Maringa noted that timely access to seedlings was particularly important for horticultural farmers because delays in planting could disrupt production cycles. The centre has contributed to the growth of horticulture in Kirinyaga, with tomato production increasing from 46,000 tonnes in 2017 to 116,000 tonnes in 2022.
Governor Waiguru has identified horticulture as a key area under the county's agricultural development agenda. The propagation centre is expected to further support the growth of horticulture by improving access to quality planting materials, lowering production costs, and equipping farmers with skills to improve crop yields. The centre's impact is expected to be significant, generating about Sh6.9 billion annually for farmers and contributing to the county's economic growth.
Key points
- The Seedlings Propagation Centre has sold over 100,000 seedlings in the past two seasons.
- The centre has reduced the price of tomato seedlings from Sh2,200 to Sh2,000 per crate.
- Tomato production in Kirinyaga has increased from 46,000 tonnes in 2017 to 116,000 tonnes in 2022.
