farmerstrend

[farmerstrend]

Banning First, Thinking Later: Kenya’s Risky Repeat of Sri Lanka’s Pesticide Mistake

What happens when politics overrides science in agriculture? Kenya’s ban on key pesticides echoes Sri Lanka’s costly mistake—leaving crops unprotected and food security at risk. In this compelling commentary, Ojepat Okisegere, the CEO of the Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya, challenges the narrative surrounding Kenya’s recent pesticide bans. Draare instead focuses on food production and exports,…

[farmerstrend]

Coffee Farms in Kenya: Kenyan Coffee Road Trip

Explore Kenya’s hidden coffee trails in Nyeri, Embu, Murang’a, and more. Perfect for coffee lovers seeking authentic farm-to-cup experiences. Kenya is famous for its coffee, and although Nairobi gives a taste of this rich tradition, going beyond the city limits uncovers a whole new experience. The lush highlands and fertile soils make the perfect environment for coffee cultivation. Exploring…

[farmerstrend]

Job Vacancy: Agribusiness Advisor

Reporting to the Regional Agribusiness Manager, the Agribusiness Advisors (AAs) will act as an integral part of implementing the EGF Food and Agriculture projects. The Agribusiness Advisors will be responsible for recruitment and supporting the project target beneficiaries by implementing different interventions across the Country. The AAs will serve also as pipeline builders towards the…

[farmerstrend]

Smart Farming in Kenya: How Del Monte is Using Tech to Boost Pineapple Yields

Inside Del Monte Kenya’s climate-smart farming strategy: tech-powered irrigation, regenerative practices, and a biofertilizer plant turning waste into gold. Jorge Miranda, Agriculture Operations director at Del Monte Kenya /VICTOR IMBOTO In the vibrant, undulating fields of Thika, a profound transformation is quietly unfolding. This change isn’t just about growing pineapples; it’s about…

[farmerstrend]

The Field Officer and the Farmer: Why Support, Not Just Inputs, Drives Agricultural Success

Learn how personalized agronomy, flexible financing, and crop insurance helped transform one Kenyan farmer’s field—and her future. Mama Naumi Kamau, preparing her land, in Kabatini ward, Nakuru, Kenya. That smile — the one that starts deep within and lights up when something good is happening — is instantly recognizable. That distinctive smile graced Mama Naumi Kamau’s face as she stood in her…

[farmerstrend]

Israel-Iran war: Sanctions, Global Conflicts, and the Unsold 119 Million Kilos of Kenyan Tea

As global tensions rise, Kenyan tea farmers worry about declining prices and delayed payments from Iran—one of their biggest markets. Here’s what the conflict could mean for the sector. The Israel-Iran conflict may be happening thousands of miles away from Kenya, yet local tea farmers and exporters are scratching their heads. Iran remains Kenya’s key market for tea and livestock products, and…

[farmerstrend]

The Mushroom Cultivation Lie No One Talks About: A Kenyan Reality Check

Many Kenyans are lured into mushroom farming by viral success stories. Learn why most fail, the risks involved, and how to start right with honest guidance. Photo Credit: X Every week in Kenya, you’ll see headlines like: “Youth in Murang’a earns Ksh 300,000 per month from mushroom farming!” “Form Four leaver becomes a millionaire from mushroom business!” These stories spread like wildfire across…

[farmerstrend]

Dairy Farmers in Kenya to Benefit as Gov’t Slashes Sexed Semen Prices from Ksh.4,000 to Ksh.1,000

The Kenyan government has slashed the price of sexed semen from Ksh.4,000 to Ksh.1,000 starting July 2025, aiming to boost milk production and support dairy farmers across the country. The government has procured 230 milk coolers to be distributed to farmers across the country to ensure milk quality and boost prices, President William Ruto has announced. The President pointed out that the…

[farmerstrend]

Sorghum Farming: The Underrated Hero of Modern Agriculture

Sorghum isn’t the coolest of crops, but it gets it’s job done. It thrives where other crops cannot, feeds people and animals, and even used to fuel engines. If you farm in a dry area or want a resilient grain crop that doesn’t require much, sorghum farming is a worthy consideration. This Farmers Trend’s guide breaks down why sorghum works and how to make it work for you. What Makes Sorghum a…

[farmerstrend]

Job Vacancy: Agronomist

We are seeking an experienced and hands-on Agronomist with a strong background in berry production or flower farming to support the establishment and early operations of a new blueberry farm in Limuru. The ideal candidate will be critical in laying the foundation for a sustainable and high-yield production system. Their expertise in fertiliser management, crop production, and harvesting…

[farmerstrend]

The Unsung Hero of Pig Production: Why Clean, Cool and Fresh Water Is Non-Negotiable

Most of the time when we talk about optimizing pig production, the conversation usually revolves around feed formulations, genetics, housing, and things to do with biosecurity. These are actually important if you want to succeed, but there’s one important element that often gets overlooked despite its foundational role in pig health and productivity: water. Not just any water, but clean, cool,…

[farmerstrend]

For the First Time, Farmers to Get More than Inspiration at Nakuru National Show: Now You Can Buy the Livestock You Admire

For the first time in its over century-long history, the Nakuru National Show, organized by the Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK), will allow visitors to purchase livestock exhibited at the event, transforming the annual show into a dynamic marketplace for farmers, breeders, and agricultural enthusiasts. The Nakuru ASK Show will run from Wednesday, July 2 to Sunday, July 6 at the Nakuru…

[farmerstrend]

Farmers in Lari Empowered Through Bold Pig Farming Program

Kiambu County launches a high-impact pig farming initiative in Lari Sub-County, providing piglets and inputs to boost agribusiness, create jobs, and support smallholder farmers. Farmers in Lari Sub‑County received a major boost as hundreds of residents in Kirenga Ward took part in a community empowerment exercise aimed at transforming livelihoods through agribusiness. The Kiambu County…

[farmerstrend]

Kenyan Fuerte Avocados Now Cost More Than Hass — What’s Behind the Price Flip?

The Kenyan Fuerte avocado season is coming to a premature end, with stocks exhausted due to high demand. “Fuerte avocados are becoming increasingly hard to find, and their prices are even higher than those of Hass avocados, which has never happened before as far as I know,” says Noor Yasin, CEO of Avochichi. The exporter says, “We’ve been at a pace of one container of Fuerte avocados a week for…

[farmerstrend]

Reviving Kenya’s Leather Industry: How Italy and Equity Are Stepping In and What the New Deal Means for Farmers

Italy partners with Equity Bank to revamp Kenya’s leather industry, bringing modern technology, investment, and job opportunities for farmers and youth across East and Central Africa. A delegation of Italian leather industry specialists and leadership from Farmer’s Choice and Equity pose for a group photo during their visit to the Farmer’s Choice Meats slaughterhouse in Kenya. Italy has committed…

[farmerstrend]

Modern Farming Machines Bring Hope to Tseikuru Farmers

Three farmers’ groups in Tseikuru Sub-county, Mwingi North, have received modern farming machinery valued at Sh3.5 million, courtesy of the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA). The initiative aims to enhance agricultural productivity and efficiency in the region. Speaking during the handover, Kitui NDMA Coordinator Francis Koma emphasized that the equipment would significantly improve…

[farmerstrend]

10 Key Points on Male Poultry Breeder Farms Management for Better Fertility

In breeder poultry farming, hens are normally the focal point—egg production, hatchability, and feeding programs. Yet one of the most critical factors for flock fertility does not get the attention it deserves: the male. Proper male management is the key to high fertility, good hatchability, and flock productivity. Mismanagement of breeder males can lead to poor mating success, wasted eggs, and…