Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has reiterated her commitment towards restoration of Pyrethrum farming.
Speaking when she accompanied the Head of Public Service and Chief of Staff, Mr. Felix Koskei, during the launch and distribution of one million clean, certified pyrethrum seedlings and farming materials to farmers in Elburgon Town, Molo Sub-county, Kihika said the crop is key in transformation of economy.
According to Kihika, pyrethrum farming will help boost the economy of Nakuru as a poster cash crop that also generates income for farmers.
“I am deeply gratified by the National Government’s support through the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) in promoting pyrethrum farming nationwide,” she stated. As Nakuru County Government, we are firmly committed to restoring pyrethrum as our poster cash crop and a dependable source of income for thousands of our farmers.
According to statistics, Nakuru has 10,000 farmers actively growing pyrethrum on 3,884 acres across eight sub-counties.
Kihika noted that these farmers produce 1,273 metric tonnes of pyrethrum, valued at KSh 236.9 million.
“We aim to increase the acreage under pyrethrum to 30,000 as we work toward reclaiming our leadership in this high-value crop,” she said.
To support this goal, the county government has established 10 nurseries to clone high-yielding seedlings, collaborated with private partners to develop a pyrethrum processing factory in Naivasha.
She called on farmers to form cooperatives for better bargaining power, value addition, and improved market access.
“We are on course to bring pyrethrum farming back to the glory of yesteryears,” she said.
The event was also graced by Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock, Mutahi Kagwe, Nyandarua Governor Moses Kiarie Badilisha, Principal Secretary for Agriculture Dr Paul Rono, Members of the County Assembly, and other county officials.
