Farmers reap as pyrethrum makes comeback in Elgeyo Marakwet
Pyrethrum farmers from Elgeyo Marakwet county sold more than two tonnes of their flowers last week.
This translates to more than Sh500,000 earnings for the farmers in a week with a kilo of the dried flowers retailing at Sh260 a kilo.
Farmers from Moiben-Kuserwo Ward recorded high sales of over one tonne with those from Kapsigoria and Cheptulon with farmers from Kipteber in Sengwer Ward were the third highest producers followed by farmers from Chepkorio Ward.
With the current rains, production is expected to double across the County according to Kentegra field officer Mr Justin Kangogo.
“We are expecting a pumper harvest this week because of the rains. There are more than 2000 farmers contracted by Kentegra in pyrethrum growing Wards of Metkei, Chepkorio,Kaptarakwa, Kapyego, Lelan,Moiben-Kuserwo and Embobut-Embolot. Others are Kamariny, Kapsowar, Kabiemit and Sengwer,” he said.
Governor Wisley Rotich, a pyrethrum farmer himself who was among those who recorded highest kilos, said he was impressed by this week’s earnings.
“I can imagine if every family recieves about Sh20,000 monthly. Household expenses will have been addressed. Pyrethrum can be harvested throughout the year especially now that there’s enough rainfall,” he said.
Mr Rotich in his manifesto identified pyrethrum a main economic cash crop to stimulate the County’s economic growth.
He engaged Kentegra, for a private public partnership who have already contracted farmers across the country and negotiated prices where a kilo of the flowers can fetch as high as Sh430 depending on its pyrethtrin content.
Farmers are paid within promptly through their mobile.
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