The County Government of Uasin Gishu, through the Department of Agriculture, Agribusiness, Livestock, and Fisheries, is stepping up efforts to strengthen the macadamia value chain and enhance farmer incomes.

On Monday, the department held a planning meeting with officials from the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) – Nuts and Oil Crops Directorate (NOCD) to prepare for the upcoming Macadamia Linkage Forum. The forum seeks to connect farmers, processors, and other stakeholders across the value chain while addressing key challenges affecting the sector.

The meeting, held at the office of the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Dr. Sam Kotut, brought together senior county officials and AFA representatives to map out strategies for value addition, market linkages, and sustainable macadamia production.

Dr. Kotut underscored the need to empower farmers with knowledge on the economic value of macadamia nuts and to establish direct market linkages that will help improve household incomes. He further called on AFA to strengthen partnerships that bring together all value chain actors — from nursery operators to processors for a more integrated and profitable macadamia industry.

Director of Agriculture, Mr. Reuben Seroney, noted that the forthcoming Macadamia Linkage Forum for the North Rift region will provide a platform to deliberate on issues facing farmers, processors, and traders.
“Our goal is to bring together all stakeholders to identify bottlenecks, share best practices, and promote the formation of economically viable producer entities such as associations, cooperatives, and self-help groups,” he said.

Dr. Kotut reaffirmed that Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii’s administration remains committed to promoting high-value crops as part of its broader strategy to boost agricultural productivity and improve livelihoods across Uasin Gishu.

The initiative is expected to strengthen the macadamia industry, enhance market access, and promote sustainable agricultural growth in the region.