In an effort to revive pyrethrum farming in Uasin Gishu, a team of Agricultural expertise in the sector and its major stakeholders converged to work a way forward of ensuring its success in the county.
During the closing ceremony that marked a successful training session, the County Executive (CeC) in charge of the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries Samuel Yego reaffirmed the county's commitment to supporting farmers start the venture.
Previously, Kenya was the leading world producer of natural pyrethrum before facing challenges that prompted the farmers to abandon its production.
Andrew Osodo, the interim head of Pyrethrum Directorate said that over the years, the pyrethrum industry has faced challenges such as unreliable supply to customers and regulatory pressure in the pesticide industry.
This has been overcome and now the market is ready and available.
The Agriculture CeC affirmed that pyrethrum fits well in the economic pillar of the country at large on the grounds that it is a crop that can be converted into a myriad of value-added products.
"I want to ask my agriculture extension officers to take the training seriously since it's them who will be close to the farmers in the provision of advice. We want to take pyrethrum farming seriously. Currently, we are focusing on 3 sub-counties of Kesses, Ainabkoi, and Moiben," said Yego.