Murang’a mango farmers leap big from bounty harvest


By Kasuku David
Business Writer
Taifa News
An oversupply of mangoes in Murang’a County has triggered a temporary slowdown in uptake by the county’s regular processing partners, raising concerns over potential losses for farmers at the peak of the harvest season.
To cushion growers from income shocks and prevent post-harvest losses, the Murang’a County Government has opened a second sales window through a partnership with Food for Education, an organisation that supports school meals programmes in Nairobi and Murang’a counties. Under the arrangement, surplus mangoes are being delivered to the Food for Education depot in Ruiru, providing farmers with an immediate and reliable alternative market.
Speaking on the initiative, Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata said the move reflects the county’s commitment to protecting farmers’ livelihoods while building sustainable agricultural value chains.
“Our priority is to ensure that no farmer loses their produce due to lack of market. By linking our mango farmers to structured programmes like Food for Education, we are stabilising incomes, reducing post-harvest losses and at the same time supporting nutrition for our children,” said Governor Kang’ata.
He noted that the current surplus highlights the urgent need for increased local value addition, including the establishment of a county-based fruit processing plant.
l
“A processing facility in Murang’a will enable us to absorb excess production, add value locally and ensure farmers earn better and more predictable returns throughout the year,” he added.
The county has already invested in aggregation centres, extension services and market linkages, efforts that have boosted productivity among mango farmers. However, officials acknowledge that long-term resilience will depend on expanded processing capacity.
For farmers, the initiative offers immediate cash flow, reduced wastage and price stability, while positioning Murang’a as a growing hub for fruit value addition, agri-industrial growth and social impact through food security and education support.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Patrick mucheleka calls for importance of turning restoration commitments into practical actions.

Image
The Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) officially launched the Subregional Workshop on Biodiversity Monitoring and Reporting, focusing on Target 2 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The workshop, held at RCMRD premises in Nairobi, brings together policymakers, researchers, and partners from across the region to strengthen capacity in biodiversity monitoring and data-driven conservation. Mr. Patrick Mucheleka, Chairperson of the RCMRD Governing Council and Permanent Secretary of Zambia’s Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, opened the event with remarks highlighting the importance of turning restoration commitments into practical actions. “Across our region, ecosystems are under pressure, and communities depend directly on nature for their livelihoods. Restoration is not an abstract concept — it is about livelihoods, resilience, and dignity,” he said. Mr. Mucheleka also emphasized the significance of RCMRD’s new role as a...
Read more

Kenya to Launch AI-Powered Disability Innovation Project at Kenya Institute of Special Education

Image
Kenya is preparing to launch a major Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ICT-driven initiative at the Kenya Institute of Special Education aimed at expanding economic opportunities for young persons with disabilities through innovation, training, and technology development. The project, supported by government agencies and private sector partners including Huawei, seeks to harness Artificial Intelligence to promote inclusive education, assistive technology development, and employment creation. It is designed to bridge the gap between innovation and real-world needs, particularly for persons with disabilities and their caregivers. Speaking ahead of the launch,The Director of the Kenya Institute of Special Education  Dr. Norman Kiogora.  described the initiative as a timely response to growing demand for inclusive solutions. The institution noted that reported cases of disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, appear to be increasing, with boys showing a particu...
Read more

Dr. Igbemi Arthur Igbemi: Health Sector Reformer Rising to Pan-African Recognition and Impact

Image
At the prestigious Global African prestige leadership award ceremony held in Nairobi , Dr. Igbemi Arthur was named recipient of the Pan African Service Excellence Award—an honor celebrating outstanding leadership, innovation, and transformative public service across the continent. The award recognizes his pioneering work in strengthening healthcare systems and advancing inclusive health coverage in , where his reforms have reshaped how public health insurance is delivered at the state level. A Bold Appointment That Changed the Script Dr. Igbemi journey is defined by an unconventional but visionary decision. As Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno—credited with introducing Igembi-inspired governance principles into the state’s public service model—made a bold move by appointing him as a permanent Secretary of the State in the public service of Akwa Ibom State. At the time, the norm was for Permanent Secretaries to serve within ministri...
Read more