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Murang’a County has launched a lime distribution programme targeting coffee-growing areas after soil tests revealed that increasing soil acidity is affecting crop production across the county.
The initiative, being implemented by the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives, is intended to help farmers improve soil fertility and increase yields through the use of agricultural lime.
According to the county government, the exercise is a demonstration programme that will also educate farmers on the importance of correcting soil acidity, a problem that has gradually reduced the productivity of many farms.
Farmers selected to benefit from the programme will receive an SMS notifying them when and where to collect the lime. Under the arrangement, one 50-kilogram bag of lime will be shared among four farmers, with each receiving 12.5 kilograms.
To ensure the knowledge reaches more people, nine day secondary schools—one in each sub-county—have also been identified as demonstration sites. The schools will showcase proper lime application, allowing both learners and neighbouring farmers to observe its impact on crop performance.
The lime distribution comes as the county continues to roll out other agricultural programmes aimed at improving farmers’ livelihoods.
In the tea sector, Murang’a is working with Equity Bank and the French Embassy to explore opportunities in the European market while also promoting value addition through Geographical Indication certification. The county is also engaging tea factories and local leaders in efforts to improve infrastructure serving tea-growing regions.
Mango farmers have also recorded improved returns after the county linked them with buyers, including Sunny Mango. According to the county government, farm-gate prices have risen from about KSh 3 to KSh 23 per kilogram, offering growers better earnings.
Support for maize farmers has continued through the distribution of certified seeds, fertiliser and pesticides to help manage armyworm outbreaks, while avocado farmers are benefiting from free seedlings and investments in value addition. A pack house under construction in Kandara is expected to support aggregation and export of the crop.
The county has also highlighted reforms in the dairy sector, saying changes at the Murang’a County Creameries Cooperative Union (MCCCU) have increased milk payments by KSh 2 per litre, alongside an ongoing milk subsidy programme.
County officials say although some of the initiatives, particularly those in the tea sector, will take time to deliver results, the overall goal is to strengthen agriculture by improving productivity, expanding market access and increasing farmers’ incomes.
For many farmers, the lime programme represents more than just the distribution of an agricultural input. It is an opportunity to restore the health of their soils and lay the foundation for better harvests in the coming seasons.
By: Samuel Mwangi
