When Governor Wisley Rotich took over power in September 2022, one of the key pieces of advice he gave to farmers was to embrace high-value crops such as pyrethrum.
The governor went further to roll out an initiative dubbed Kilimo Biashara that saw farmers willing to venture into the crop get free pyrethrum seeds.
Barely four months later and those that took the advice seriously are now smiling all the way to the ban.
Paul Kipruto from Metibelio, Moiben/Kuserwo Ward, is one of those that took up the pioneer Pyrethrum farming program.
He has started earning from the venture, with the price of a kilogram of pyrethrum now at Ksh275.
It is estimated that Kipruto will get a harvest of at least 100 kilograms of pyrethrum at peak season.
This basically translates to Ksh27,500 which the farmer will be earning on a weekly basis.
No regrets
While sharing the story of the farmer, Governor Rotich advised more to follow in his footsteps.
“Let’s embrace profitable farming & create wealth for our families. Just a quarter of an acre, you will not regret,” he said.
Prior to taking up the gubernatorial role, Rotich served as the Elgeyo Marakwet Deputy Governor.
It is during this time that he secured a deal with Kentegra Biotechnology Holdings which provided farmers with free seedlings.
At least 400 farmers had embraced the program. More are expected to venture into pyrethrum farming with revelations of how well paying it is.
Pyrethrum farming is arguably among the most profitable ventures in the country.
According to the Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya (PPCK), a farmer can earn up to Ksh 700,000 per acre per year from pyrethrum farming.
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