Description

Potential of agriculture in Laikipia County

The agricultural potential in the county is quite prospective as characterized by highly potential farming lands particularly in the South Western parts of the county. The total area under crops is about 1,984 Km2 of which 80 per cent is under food crops. Over 60 per cent of households derive their livelihood from agricultural activities.

The main crops grown include wheat, maize, beans, potatoes and vegetables. Maize takes about 51per cent of the total planted area. Efforts are now been put in place to promote the resistant crops such as millet, sorghum, sunflower and black beans (dolichos). There is an emerging trend of increased floriculture and horticulture production both at large-scale and small-scale levels. This constitutes production of cut flowers, tomatoes, French beans, Aloe, chillies and water melons. There are also pockets of pineapple farms, orange trees and coffee bushes.

Granaries are a common storage facility at household levels. The government through the National Cereals and Produce Board has established stores at Dol Dol, Nyahururu and Nanyuki. At institutional levels, food stores are common particularly in schools on the school feeding programmes. Investment Opportunities in agriculture includes;

• Value addition in sweet potatoes (making of sweet potato crisps, flour, vines)
• Stocking of drip kits
• Maize and wheat flour milling & packaging
• Horticulture farming (flowers, fruits and vegetables)
• The county government is doing the following to benefit the farmers;
• Organizing farmers into marketing Groups/Coop's for ensuring steady supply volumes and shorter market chains
• Installation of Milk coolers and processing plants to the above groups to reduce wastage
• Investing in livestock extension and engaging private partners to boost hay production
• Distribution of subsidized fertilizer and mechanization to reduce fodder/hay production costs
• To promote bee keeping and honey production, the county government is working together with other stakeholders to provide farmers with modern beehives and carrying out extension services
• Provision of efficient vet/Extension services for quality production
• Maintenance of marketing infra-structure
• Establishment of livestock export zones
• Infrastructural Support to abattoir Sanitary systems
• Adjust policy and legal framework in favor of local slaughter