Farmers in Kirinyaga County are benefiting from improved access to quality and affordable planting materials following the establishment of a county-run seedlings propagation centre in Kangai Ward. The centre, which became operational last year, is helping horticultural farmers access certified and disease-free seedlings locally, reducing the cost and logistical challenges associated with sourcing planting materials from private producers outside the county.
Established under Governor Anne Waiguru’s Wezesha Kirinyaga programme, the facility has a production capacity of up to 400,000 seedlings for crops including tomatoes, cabbages, kales, spinach and African nightshade. County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock, Veterinary and Fisheries Dr John Gachara said the centre was established to address persistent challenges farmers face in accessing clean and quality planting materials.
“Getting clean planting materials has been one of the key challenges for horticulture farmers. This particular centre ensures that our farmers get the correct materials which are clean and without disease, so that we can safeguard our soils and improve productivity,” said Gachara.
The facility uses certified seeds and modern propagation technology to produce seedlings under controlled conditions. Farmers also receive agronomic advice to help them improve crop establishment and management after planting.
According to Gachara, the centre can produce up to 400,000 seedlings using certified seeds and modern equipment designed to maintain the quality of the planting materials. Beyond improving access, the centre is also helping farmers cut production costs. Farmers are saving about Sh200 per tray of seedlings and up to Sh1,000 in transport costs, depending on where they previously sourced their planting materials. Some farmers previously travelled to private nurseries within Kirinyaga, while others sourced seedlings from areas as far as Naivasha. The centre has sold more than 100,000 seedlings over the past two seasons, demonstrating growing demand for locally produced planting materials.
Centre doubles as farmer training facility
The propagation centre is also being used as a practical training facility in partnership with the Kirinyaga Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training Centre. Gachara said the county plans to organise regular farmer field days to strengthen farmers’ knowledge of modern horticultural practices.
“This is not only a centre for producing seedlings but also a training centre. This year we held the first farmer field day and we expect to hold about three farmer field days every year so that we can educate our farmers on proper agronomic practices for vegetables,” he said.
The approach gives farmers an opportunity to combine access to quality inputs with practical knowledge on crop production, potentially improving productivity and farm incomes. Local farmer Daniel Githaka said the centre had also increased farmers’ confidence in the quality of the seedlings they purchase.
“Previously we also could not confirm the quality of the seedlings we bought, but with the county propagation centre, we are assured of getting the best quality seedlings at lower prices,” said Githaka.
For tomato farmer John Muchoki, the centre has reduced both the financial and logistical burden of sourcing seedlings.
“It has reduced my farming costs because of the lower prices for the seedlings as well as the travel costs, which used to amount to about Sh1,000 for transport. With the propagation centre now very close, I can literally walk to the centre, buy my seedlings and come back and plant. It saves me time and money,” said Muchoki.
Muchoki added that the agronomic advice offered at the facility was helping him make better decisions on crop establishment and management. Another farmer, Sammy Maringa, said timely access to seedlings was among the centre’s biggest benefits, particularly for farmers who depend on strict production cycles.
He said having planting materials available when needed could help farmers avoid delays that may affect production and income.
“Kangai Ward is one of the most productive areas in horticulture and having access to seedlings on time has therefore gone a long way in boosting economic growth in this ward and in Kirinyaga County as a whole,” said Maringa.
The county says the initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen horticultural production and improve farmers’ access to quality agricultural inputs and technical knowledge. Kirinyaga has also recorded significant growth in tomato production, with output rising from about 46,000 tonnes in 2017 to 116,000 tonnes in 2022, generating an estimated Sh6.9 billion annually for farmers.
The propagation centre is therefore emerging not only as a source of planting materials, but also as a practical agricultural skills and knowledge hub supporting farmers across the county.