Pyrethrum farming is making a comeback in Nakuru County. Once a major foreign exchange earner, the crop is now being revitalized by county governments.
Over the past six years, pyrethrum production has grown five times, its value has increased eight times, and prices have risen by two-thirds. According to the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), the price of pyrethrum flowers rose from Sh151.9 per kilogram in 2018 to Sh250 per kilogram in 2022, despite a decrease in farming land from 6,000 acres to 4,000 acres.
Importantly, as of March 2024, Nakuru County had the largest percentage of area under pyrethrum at 29.9 percent, followed by Nyandarua and West Pokot at 19.6 and 17.7 percent, respectively. Pyrethrum farming is now practiced in 18 counties across Kenya.
Kentegra’s New Pyrethrum Processing Factory
On July 10, 2023, the US Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, and Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika attended the groundbreaking ceremony for a multi-million pyrethrum processing factory by Kentegra Ltd in Naivasha.
The new facility, financed by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), with close to $11 million, will create stable income for over 90,000 smallholder farmers.
Governor Kihika emphasized that pyrethrum farming is a flagship project for Nakuru County, aiming to make it the main income-generating crop for farmers. The county plans to expand pyrethrum cultivation to 30,000 acres in the next two years by providing quality seedlings and resources.
County Government Initiatives
The County Government of Nakuru, led by Governor Kihika, is expanding pyrethrum farming. Leonard Bor, the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, shared that over 4.2 million seedlings have been distributed across various wards, including Biashara, Naivasha East, Tinet, Amalo, Kiptagich, Sirikwa, Kiptororo, and Mariashoni.
This initiative helps farmers produce around 600 kg of dry flowers per acre each month, earning about Kshs 180,000.
Public-private partnerships are also being formed to boost production, with nurseries for disease-resistant varieties. The county works with the Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya (PPCK) and other stakeholders.
Investments in a pyrethrum processing factory in Naivasha and a County Aggregation and Industrial Park at Egerton Agro-City aim to enhance value addition.
The Future of Pyrethrum Farming in Nakuru
The revival of pyrethrum farming in Nakuru County has great potential for the local economy and farmers’ livelihoods. With support from the county government, private companies, and international partners, Nakuru can reclaim its position as a leading pyrethrum producer.
The global demand for natural pesticides boosts the prospects for Kenyan pyrethrum, especially in European and American markets.
Governor Kihika’s administration is dedicated to making pyrethrum farming a key project under the national Vision 2030 plan. By providing quality planting materials, training, and resources, the county aims to enhance yields and improve returns. New nurseries and processing facilities will further increase production and create jobs for the community.
As Nakuru County invests in pyrethrum farming, the future looks bright for this important crop. With coordinated efforts, pyrethrum farming is set to become a major contributor to the county’s economy and a reliable income source for residents.
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