Kitui’s Director for Agriculture, Francis Kitoo today led a team of extension officers on a field visit to Cecilia Kitheka’s farm in Mutongoni Ward, Kitui West Sub-County, in a continued effort to strengthen extension advisory services and promote climate-smart, market-driven agriculture.
Cecilia, a progressive horticultural farmer, has embraced the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) approach, an innovative farming model that encourages farmers to identify and secure markets before production. Through this approach, she has aligned her crop choices with market demand, enhancing profitability and reducing post-harvest losses.
In addition to horticulture, Cecilia is actively engaged in value addition and poultry production, diversifying her income streams and improving household resilience. Her value addition initiatives include proper grading, packaging, and preservation of produce, enabling her to access better-paying markets.
During the visit, the team assessed on-farm practices and provided technical advice on improved crop management, pest and disease control, efficient water use, and soil fertility enhancement. She was further guided on record keeping, aggregation strategies, and strengthening linkages with reliable markets to ensure consistency in supply.
*CGoK.Comm.Dept/
Tuesday 21st April 2026/
