Taita Taveta soil suitable for pyrethrum farming, tests reveal

A farmer harvests pyrethrum at his farm at Temuyota in Kuresoi North. [File, Standard]

At least 10,000 acres of land in Taita Taveta will be dedicated to pyrethrum farming following positive results from soil tests conducted to assess its suitability for the crop.

Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya Limited (PPCK) stated that soil samples tested in Israel confirmed the county has rich soils suitable for pyrethrum farming.

PPCK Chairman Granton Samboja said that the sub-sector can generate over Sh8 billion and create 5,000 jobs annually if the country's capabilities are fully harnessed.

Speaking during a pyrethrum demonstration in Wundanyi, Samboja said the government was committed to reviving the cash crop to contribute to the country's development.

Kenya was fourth in the world in pyrethrum production before the near-collapse of the sector in the 1980s and 90s, chiefly due to nonpayment for delivered flowers.

"The sector had collapsed due to numerous challenges, ranging from inadequate funding, fluctuation in world marketing prices, and delayed payment of rendered services. The government is now going full throttle to ensure the sub-sector is fully revived for the benefit of Kenyans," stated Samboja.

Farmers abandoned the pyrethrum sector, which generated over Sh10 billion in exchange rate, in favour of dairy, potatoes, maize, and horticultural farming.

Samboja urged farmers and county leadership to support the cash crop to alleviate economic suffering and reduce dependency syndrome for food aid from the government and donors.

Addressing farmers at Shamba D after inspecting a demonstration farm in Wundanyi, the former Taita Taveta governor said they are sensitising farmers to embrace pyrethrum farming as one of the leading cash crops in the country. He said they have agreed with local farmers to start implementing the project before it is rolled out to other coastal counties.

The former governor said 19 counties currently produce pyrethrum flowers, and Taita Taveta will soon be the 20th.

Taita Sub-County Crops Officer Yusuf Masuud said the county government will fully support pyrethrum growing, as the cash crop is more lucrative.

Edward Lagat, a PPCK training officer said the cash will transform the lives in the region, which is entirely dependent on maize growing only.

He disclosed that one kilogram of the crops fetches between Sh300 and Sh700, depending on the quality. Lagat said a farmer can harvest between 50 kilograms and 60 kilograms per acre.

"The cash crop takes about nine months to mature, and a farmer can continue harvesting for three years. There is a ready market, and the board will buy the cash crop from farmers. There is no cause for alarm," he assured the farmers.