KENYA – Makueni County, Kenya’s leading mango producer with over 4 million mango trees, has achieved a remarkable milestone by exporting mangoes worth over KES. 300 million (USD 2.31 million) during the ongoing harvest season.
This marks a significant improvement for farmers who have long struggled with pest infestations and low prices.
To address the challenges faced by farmers, Makueni County established an 8,000-hectare low-pest zone across 18 key mango-producing wards.
This initiative has created new market opportunities and boosted producer prices. Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. hailed the success of the program, stating, “It’s a new dawn for Makueni mango farmers.”
Since September 2024, the county has shipped 202 refrigerated containers, carrying 4,907 metric tonnes of mangoes to the UAE and the UK. The dispatches were processed at three licensed packhouses located in Kibwezi, Wote, and Emali.
Governor Kilonzo emphasized the county’s commitment to expanding export markets by training farmers to meet international standards and upgrading packhouse facilities.
“We are dedicated to ensuring these facilities serve not only mangoes but also citrus fruits, avocados, and vegetables,” he said.
New horticultural center enhances value chain
The export success comes just a week after the county launched a modern Horticultural Aggregation Center and Packhouse near Wote Police Station.
This facility is designed to reduce post-harvest losses, simplify the supply chain, and provide farmers with direct access to exporters, increasing their profitability.
The aggregation center, which serves as a hub for collecting, processing, and packaging mangoes, is expected to significantly benefit local farmers.
“The center is equipped to handle large quantities of mangoes, ensuring efficient sorting, grading, and packaging for both local and international markets,” Governor Kilonzo stated during the launch.
Farmers can now earn Kshs. 12 (USD 0.076) per piece for export-quality mangoes. Mangoes intended for local markets are priced between Kshs. 15 (USD 0.095) and Kshs. 19 (USD 0.121) per kilogram.
To ensure smooth operations, farmers are encouraged to inform their ward agricultural officers when their mangoes are ready for harvest, facilitating better coordination with buyers.
A bright future for Makueni’s farmers
These developments have positioned Makueni County as a leader in Kenya’s horticultural sector. The county government’s proactive approach in creating low-pest zones and establishing modern facilities demonstrates its commitment to improving farmers’ livelihoods.
As export markets continue to grow and infrastructure develops, Makueni’s mango farmers can look forward to more profitable seasons ahead.
Governor Kilonzo reaffirmed his commitment to the county’s agricultural sector, saying, “We will continue to champion initiatives that benefit our farmers and elevate Makueni to greater heights in horticulture.”
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