www.elgonkenya.

com

PRIVATE CIRCULATION Isssue No. 16/2023

Kenyan Farmers Weather

Climate Crisis
Contents Directors

8 Dr Bimal Kantaria joins the

Commonwealth Enterprise and
Investment Council 40 Elgon Kenya’s partnership with UoN will
enhance farming culture among youths
Director:
Dr. Bimal Kantaria, OGW
Dr Bimal Kantaria has been a Director in the
group since 1991, after graduating from the
UK, initially starting his career in Purchasing,
then unto Sales and finally in operations.

His education background is B.Soc. Sc in

Economics, Masters in Business Administration
14 Elgon Kenya’s partnership
with Agriculture
(MBA) and a MSc. in Packaging Technology.

ministry revives 4K Club Bimal is a member of the Rotary Club of

programme Industrial Area, Nairobi and also Chairman
of Agriculture Sector Network, Agriculture
10 IFTEX Let us leverage our ideal conditions
to explore more flower markets
Confederation of East Africa, Director, KEPSA,
President Lohana Mahaparishad, Kenya. He
served as Rotary District Governor for Kenya,
South Sudan, Eritrea, and Ethiopia for one
year.

48 Sustainable packaging solutions

Also Inside Page

Editorial.............................................................................................. 4
Director's Message.................................................................................. 5
Flower industry’s growing sustainability makes a case for sea transportation............ 6 Director:
IFTEX Pictorial....................................................................................... 12-13 Baiju Kantaria
Youth in Agriculture................................................................................ 16
Baiju Kantaria has been a Director in the
Women in Agriculture.............................................................................. 17 group since 1992, after graduating from the
UK, initially starting his career in Purchasing
Physically Challenged Persons in Agriculture................................................... 18
and is now responsible for overall sales in the
National Farmers Awards Pictorial............................................................... 19-23 group.

Elgon Kenya Product Portfolio.................................................................... 24-39 His education background is BSc. in

Economics from Manchester University and
Preparing Agriculture Students For the Job Market........................................... 42-46 Masters in Business Administration (MBA)
Feeding the nation is a noble calling that should warm every Kenyan’s heart............ 50 from City University in London.

Thabiti Granulated Lime promises more benefits for farmers............................... 52 Baiju is a past Chairman of the Round Table
no.21, a charitable organisation which looks
How to stop the silent enemy that every livestock farmer fears............................ 54 after the welfare of the less-able.

ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY 3

 Editorial
Why we need to do more to build
resilient food systems
With erratic weather patterns, reliance on
rain-fed agriculture is becoming a timeworn
culture which has to be minimized. Farmers
must learn to farm even with little water.
So how can they do this?
The answer lies in proper water conservation
and management practices. It is common to
see rainwater flowing away; going to waste
never to be recovered, during heavy rainfalls.
The irony is just a few days later, there
follows a lack of water for irrigating our
crops. Floods have been known to sweep
away roads and bridges. But not much has
been done to redirect these flood waters
Building a bridge between farmers and digital
solutions is imperative to enable them tap
into applications that will assist their ventures.
With the right policies, and enhanced measures,
challenges facing farmers can be overturned
transforming the country from perennially food
insecure, to abundance agriculturally that even
supplies to its neighbours.
Our farmers, especially the smallholders, are the
driving engine of our food security train. Their
sheer willpower and determination protect
us from food insecurity, the more reason
they should be cherished. With small-scale
production accounting for over 75 percent of
We can grow a prosperous future in
agriculture through partnerships
A
s the world gets back on its feet
after the crippling effects of the
Covid-19 pandemic, it is encouraging
to see the tenacity and resilience of
Kenyans. The resolve with which they have
bounced back is amazing. Of course, it will
take time to fully recover, but the fighting spirit
entrenched in our people will definitely get us
there.
During the pandemic, the agriculture sector
suffered its fair share of challenges. It saw
businesses close down resulting to job and
livelihood losses. Disruption of global supply
Director’s Message
Rigathi Gachagua for their proactive and a
hands-on approach to agriculture. Their
pro-smallholder farmer policies have a
long-term effect on the agriculture sector,
which demonstrates why we should take
the sector and the economy to the next
level.
The private sector, in partnership with
Agriculture Sector Network (ASNET),
equally deserves recognition for its role in
advancing the country’s agricultural ideals.
Their efforts to beat the scourge of food
and nutrition insecurity and lack of jobs

T
he climate change challenge is steadily
becoming more pronounced in
African countries, and the threat of
food insecurity is equally growing. The
erratic weather patterns, dwindling arable land,
unpredictable rains, emergence of new pests and
diseases, and farm input challenges, are becoming
the norm. Yet our fast-growing population
requires sustainable food provision.
Kenya’s food systems are currently in a wobbly
state. Food production is unsteady and hence
the threat of serious food insecurity is ever-
looming. This phenomenon is now, surprisingly,
commonplace even in counties that have
traditionally been regarded as the country’s food
basket.
Accessibility to sufficient water for farming is
becoming a serious issue. Its availability -and lack
of it- is adversely affecting livelihoods and families’
food and nutritional sustenance. This heightens
the risk of food insecurity and a deteriorating
economy. But we can readjust our bearing and
learn to live with some of these challenges, and
even turn some to our benefits. As they say, when
life gives you lemons, make lemonade!
Farming smarter to increase productivity amid
these challenges, is the key. This speaks to the
need for better farming methods and optimal
use of fertiliser, and better water management
practices. Farmers must quickly learn to do more
with less. It all requires improving our soils’ health,
increasing biodiversity, improving nutritional
diversity and content of the food they cultivate,
and perhaps most importantly, enhancing water
management.
EDITORIAL BOARD Elgon Kenya
 Dr. Bimal Kantaria, OGW
East Gate Road, off Mombasa Road,
 Baiju Kantaria
 Dr John Muchibi
P.O. Box 46826 - 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
 Vaibhav Deshmukh Tel: +254 20 6534 410, Fax: +254 20 6534 807
 Nelson Maina Email: info@elgonkenya.com, Website:
 Mahesh Sharma www:elgonkenya.com
into storage facilities for use in future.
A paradigm shift is required. As a country,
we must act fast and embark on practices
that ensure rainwater and floods do not
go to waste. Building water conservation
ecosystems, ponds, dams, swales, and other
similar structures, should be our priority, to
maximize on the benefit of rainwater and
floods whenever they come. Rain torrents no
longer have to come, devastate then ‘leave’
untapped. Technology, coupled with science
and innovation, are also critical concepts in
efforts to transform our food production
systems.
Covid-19 drove the surge of digitization of
agriculture supply chains, food distribution
and marketing, laying a foundation for
future scaling of efforts in agriculture. The
growing digital space should become part
of the entire food production value chain,
extending from our smallholder farmers to
policymakers. Providing quality, up-to-date
data that is accessible and transparent is,
therefore, key to digital transformation in
agriculture and will assist guide policy, craft
food security interventions and drive food
trade and distribution efforts.
Supporting data-driven models will require a
vibrant enabling environment that is inclusive,
and partnerships and policies which mobilize
leadership necessary to empower collective
action. The policies must be designed in
a user-driven and consultative manner to
respond to the needs of farmers who are the
primary beneficiaries.
the total agricultural output in the country and
70 percent of marketed agricultural produce, it
makes sense why Kenya’s smallholder farmers
need to be rewarded for their unrelenting
attitude.
We also need not forget the enthusiasm and
commitment the government has demonstrated
through massive investments, and its leadership
from the frontline in the agricultural value
chain. This points to a timely shift of mind by
our policymakers on the need to get serious
with the food security situation. It couldn’t have
come at a better time and we can only hope
this momentum is sustained.
Given the government’s diverse responsibilities,
the private sector is coming in handy; filling in
where the government encounters challenges.
The private sector is proving an effective
partner to the government. It aggressively
provides solutions to the challenges that
bedevil our agricultural productivity. This is
commendable.
A convergence of minds among players in
the agriculture sector, a shift from traditional
ways of doing things, adopting modern trends,
and acknowledging the serious challenge that
climate change poses, are key in advancing
our agricultural production practices now
and in future. Food insecurity is, after all, the
common enemy. But in agriculture, we have the
ammunition to fight it.
* * Elgon Kenya News is published
regularly by:
Elgon Kenya and circulated to its
partners in the region
chains ultimately had an effect on our food
and nutrition security. But the sector, has
consistently shown remarkable resilience and
recovery.
Our farmers have always strived to ensure
Kenya remains food and nutritionally secure
and that the economy grows. For that, they
deserve to be acknowledged. Smallholder
farmers, who form the bulk of our food
producers, are our greatest partners at Elgon
Kenya. And we endeavour to celebrate them
as much as we can.
This year, we rolled the carpet for them, for
the ninth time, to celebrate the best through
the annual National Farmers Awards, whose
application process has now gone digital!
The event held in February after a break due
to the pandemic, saw us reward winners in
nine different categories among them youth,
women and persons with disabilities. Farmers
have been pivotal in sparking a farming
revolution in their respective areas, the more
reason why we celebrate them.
More good news is that this year, we introduced
the 4K Clubs segment in the awards scheme.
The category aims to celebrate school
children and their agriculture clubs doing all
they have to rejuvenate our farming and food
production systems. We seek to encourage
more young people into farming, since they
hold the future of our country. If we want a
food secure, prosperous future, we have to
bring them to the discussion table. We want
them to realise agriculture is not all about
tilling land and that numerous opportunities
await them in the value chain.
We are honoured to work with the Ministry of
Agriculture in this noble initiative to actualise
the ambitious plan.This teamwork is recruiting
schools across the country into the 4k Club
movement. I also commend the government
led by President William Ruto and his Deputy
and livelihoods, is admirable.
As a player in the agriculture sector, Elgon
Kenya pledges its commitment to working
with the government and the private
sector for the benefit of all Kenyans. Our
resolve is to do our best to keep the
agriculture sector going strong and our
customers satisfied through providing high
quality agriculture inputs at the right time
and most affordable prices.
As part of our investment in crop nutrition
we have gone into fertilizer blending
and recently unveiled a blending facility
where we unveiled a new line of blended
fertilizers under the Thabiti brand name.
This is an NPK brand targeting coffee, tea
and horticulture farmers and is intended
for planting and top-dressing.
We have also invested in granulated lime,
which has numerous benefits for farmers
ranging from correcting soil pH to the
most productive levels, to strengthening
plants’ physical structures, and others in
between. With this product, farmers can
rest easy knowing it will address most of
their crop production challenges.
Even as we do these, we continue to
build relationships with our partners, and
engage with new ones who possess similar
goals to ours, in ensuring our country’s
food security.
Our groundbreaking partnership with
the University of Nairobi, for a series
of activities will definitely revolutionise
Kenya’s farming and agriculture scene. First,
we are building an ultramodern agriculture
innovation and technology centre in
the university’s Kabete Campus, in our
mission to actualise new and innovative
ways through which we can work with the
academia and research institutions to take
agriculture to the next level.
Dr. Bimal Kantaria, OGW
Director, Elgon Kenya,
Chairman - UAN
Still in partnership with the UON, we have
an internship programme in which we strive
to match training with the requirements of
the job market while addressing the skills gap.
Students from UON are recruited into a six-
month paid internship at Elgon Kenya, where
they work in our different departments. We
mentor them to ensure they gain the hands-
on experience required in today’s hectic job
market.
The first cohort of students underwent the
internship and already graduated. Some have
joined us as new staff members. Others have
been absorbed in different institutions. Yet
still others started their own enterprises as
the new batch of agripreneurs.
When we embarked on the journey with
these students, it was refreshing to learn from
some of them that they planned to start their
own agribusinesses and even employ others.
This is the kind of motivation that we want
for the future of this nation.
Lastly, I acknowledge the Commonwealth
Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC)
for choosing Elgon Kenya as its strategic
partner and appointing me to its global
advisory council.
This demonstrates Kenya’s respect as
an innovative country that elevates
entrepreneurship. With such achievements,
we believe Kenya will achieve much more in
its farming and food production systems.

4 ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY 5
 Floriculture
Flower industry’s growing sustainability
makes a case for sea transportation
Baiju Kantaria
Director, Elgon Kenya.
K
enya’s flower industry is achieving
unimaginable global feats amid
numerous bottlenecks that have stalled
its growth. Lately, our flower industry has, in
many ways, shown resilience in the face of
numerous adversities. In 2020, it faced the full
brunt of the Covid-19 pandemic. Then the
Russia-Ukraine conflict came and its effects
slowed flower sales in our traditional flower
markets.
Despite all these, the flower industry
weathered the challenges to emerge
stronger. However, transportation of flowers
from farm to the market has continued to be
a huge challenge. Industry players decry the
high costs and limited cargo space leading to
production losses and decreased profitability.
Industry stakeholders have lamented the
unaffordable charges incurred in transporting
flowers by air, which accounts for about 50
percent of all production costs on average.
A solution had to be found. And real fast.
Our country’s flower producers require a
sustainable way that is cost effective, to have
their flowers reach the markets in Europe
and across the world. This is why the Kenyan
floriculture industry is now embracing
sustainable practices that extend beyond
the flower farms’ production process, to the
freight and logistics component. The industry
is adopting sea transport to ship its flowers to
global markets. Such is a welcome move that
heralds better tidings for the flower industry,
as it to a significant extent, assuages the
freight challenges our flower producers face.
6 ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
This mode of transport is convenient,
affordable even for small scale producers,
and creates more space for more produce
to be shipped, not forgetting the fact it
is a sustainable means of transport in
our modern production trends, where
sustainability is key. Data shows while
there are on average about 5,000 tonnes of
weekly flowers ready to be transported to
various international destinations, only 70
tonnes of weekly cargo capacity is available.
This is far much below what is required.
By embracing sea transport, the industry
accordingly creates a green alternative to
air transport. An alternative known to have
less greenhouse emissions. Sea freight also
opens new markets for Kenya. Such include
the Gulf States and the Far East.
The recent development in the industry to
ship flowers and horticultural products by
sea is a welcome relief for all players. Across
the globe, flower producers like Colombia
have embraced this mode of transport. And
it has proven successful, convenient and
cost-effective.
The industry’s enthusiasm and optimism
towards this initiative is therefore
heartwarming, with some flower growers in
Kenya already trialing this model partnering
with the Kenya Flower Council (KFC). The
signing of the framework of cooperation
between KFC and Dutch Embassy during
last year’s International Floriculture Trade
Exhibition (IFTEX) further bolstered the
resolve to move towards the sea transport
model.
The adoption of sea freight for perishables
in Kenya, as highlighted in the framework
of cooperation between the Kenya Flower
Council and the Netherlands, will definitely
lead to clear benefits for the Kenyan public
and private sector.
At the centre of these developments
are sustainability and environmental-
consciousness trends which are gaining
premium in virtually all sectors across the
globe. The market, for instance, demands
that flowers be produced and delivered
sustainably and in ways friendly to the
environment and demonstrate concern for
the people working in the sector.
The country’s flower industry stakeholders
are accordingly making all the efforts
and investments in achieving just that;
enabling sustainable practices across all
their production and logistics processes.
The industry will, in turn, create more
jobs as per the Sustainable Development
Goals (SDG 8) and ensure a significant
reduction of its carbon footprint (SDG
13). By harnessing the possibilities of both
sea and air transport, Kenya will be at a
pole position to become the East-African
perishable goods hub and position itself for
a sustainable floriculture future. And by that,
the country’s flower industry and definitely
the economy, stand to gain immensely.
These sentiments have been accentuated
by Ambassador Maarten Brouwer.
LoveFresh
During the signing of the framework
of cooperation between Kenya and the
Netherlands, the Dutch Ambassador’s
avowal that his country has all the technical
expertise required and its keenness to work
with Kenya’s flower industry to enhance its
success, is a development Kenya can leverage
to promote its floriculture. All we have to QUALITY
do is to ensure right policies are established
and all the required infrastructural logistics
are in place to support sea freight.
Keep your precious flowers fresh
with trusted Botrytis control
In essence, Kenya is becoming a regional
pioneer in sustainable floriculture ventures,
including the use of solar energy, biological
pest control methods, environmentally
friendly packaging, green mobility in the
farms, and now sea freight. Unique MoA Efficacy & Reduced
against Botrytis protection chemical charge
The development of sea freight and
investment in innovative practices are
positive steps towards a more sustainable
production model for the Kenyan
floriculture. It demonstrates that we are
not just renowned for our leading flower
growing culture but also as a home to
innovative people always looking for ways
to address challenges affecting them.
With such sustainable farming practices
and innovative approaches, Kenya’s flower
industry is indeed poised for more great
things and a sustainable future. TRANSFORMING FARMS & LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
We should therefore give these innovative
developments all the support.
Home of Botrytis Solutions Appointed Distributor
 Commonwealth Appointment
Going global: Dr Bimal Kantaria joins the
Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council
T
he Commonwealth Enterprise and
Investment Council (CWEIC) has
picked Kenya’s agro input company
Elgon Kenya Limited as a strategic
partner and appointed its Managing Director
Dr Bimal Kantaria to its global advisory
council. The not-for-profit organization
forms the Commonwealth’s business
network, with over 100 business and
government strategic partners from
31 countries and territories. CWEIC
facilitates trade and investment across the
54 member nations of the Commonwealth.
The council hosts the Commonwealth
Business Forum alongside the biennial
Commonwealth Heads of Government
Meeting, every two years. Through its
networks, at its events, and on international
delegations, the organization’s activities,
create a platform for meaningful engagement
among business leaders and Government
decision makers across the Commonwealth.
Accepting the appointment, Dr Bimal noted
the significance of the council in global business
networking and high-level decision making. “I
am honoured to be part of this prestigious
network group and I look forward to more
interactions and engagement with other
members while driving its transformation
agenda. I thank Lord Jonathan Marland, the
Chairman of CWEIC, for acknowledging us
through the nomination,” Dr Bimal said.
Back home, the Kenya Kwanza government
led by President William Ruto, recently
appointed Dr Bimal as a representative of the
private sector to the crucial newly-formed
Food Reserve Balance Sheet Committee.
Under the new NCPB Board Act Regulations
March 2023, the Food Reserve Balance Sheet
Committee will monitor and advise the
government on the national strategic food
reserves, including data collection and food
price stabilisation mechanisms.
The committee’s first meeting was chaired
by State Department Crop Development
Principal Secretary Dr Harsama Kello
together with Cabinet Affairs Principal
Secretary Julius Korir. Several government
departments’ representatives also attended,
as Dr Bimal articulated the private sector’s
8 ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
position. At the helm of one of the largest
agro input company, Elgon Kenya Limited, in
Eastern and Central Africa, Dr Bimal oversees
its operations in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda,
Ethiopia and Zambia.
He also applies his skills and knowledge
extensively towards philanthropic endeavours
spanning education, health and social services.
At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic,
Dr Bimal working with the Kenya Private
Sector Alliance, Rotary International and the
Kenya Flower Council, formed the Caravan
of Hope Initiative that delivered flowers to
caregivers in Kenyan hospitals and the UK,
to encourage first-line health workers as the
virus tormented the world.
Kenyan flower industry was among the
most hit by global lockdowns and the flower
donations were meant to give hope to the
world. For his efforts, the then President
Uhuru Kenyatta named Dr Bimal among the
Uzalendo Award winners, for their exemplary
support to the war against Covid-19.
In 2020, Dr Bimal was elected chairman of the
Agriculture Sector Network (ASNET), the
umbrella entity of agribusiness organizations
and stakeholders seeking to steer the
industry and drive Kenya’s economic growth.
Among international organizations working
with ASNET is the SDG Partnership of the
UN – Food Agriculture Organization (FAO)
and the International Fund for Agriculture
Development (IFAD).
The network has since gone regional,
following establishment of the Agriculture
Confederation of East Africa (ACEA), which
seeks to negotiate with governments and
businesses in the region to formulate a
policy to support a seamless movement of
goods across borders to spur agriculture
development within the East African
Community (EAC) borders.
This effort, despite the EAC Heads of
State Summit pledging since 2011 to
spearhead a regional approach to agriculture
development, has not taken off but with
ACEA, the dream is close to being realized.
Dr Bimal chairs the ACEA.
Dr Bimal also serves as a national board
director at the Kenya Private Sector Alliance
(KEPSA) since 2021 and leads on Food
Security and Climate Change. He is also
the patron of the annual Kenya’s National
Farmers Awards that seek to reward farming
champions ranging from small enterprises to
large commercial entities.
The all-inclusive scheme recognizes women,
persons with disabilities and the youth. Past
winners have become icons, mentors and
model farmers, demystifying agribusiness as
a career of choice. The awards have been
recognized widely and earned a Presidential
trophy.
The scheme is also supporting the recently
revived 4K Clubs movement that seeks to
reintroduce farming initiatives in primary
schools and young farmers in secondary
schools.Dr Bimal is also the patron of
the Agriculture Media Society of Kenya
(Agrimedia) that supports training of
journalists reporting on issues about the
sector.
In 2011, Dr Bimal was awarded the
Productive Business Civility Award by
US-based iChange Nations Organization
in recognition of his role, investment and
impact in agriculture, education, health
and social services. The award is set aside
for Top World Civility Leaders, who are
making a global impact with their businesses,
innovations and initiatives.
 IFTEX
Let us leverage our ideal conditions to
explore more flower markets
Vaibhav Deshmukh
Head of Agribusiness
T
he International Flower Trade
Exhibition (IFTEX) made its
comeback this year, being the
second edition after the Covid-19
pandemic. For the second year running
now - after Covid-19 - it is a gratifying
feeling to realize just how much Kenya’s
floriculture sub-sector has improved and
gotten back on track just two years after
the pandemic almost destabilized it.
It is truly impressive to witness Kenya’s
steady rise to be one of the top five
flower-producing countries globally. It is
also impressive, the fact that Kenya is still
maintaining this admirable position given
that the country is most likely already
the largest and most diverse producer of
prime-cut flowers in the world.
10 ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
Noteworthy is the fact that the flower
industry in Kenya plays quite a significant
role in different areas and segments of the
country’s economic development. And
hence with these positive indications, more
sectors will further gain from floriculture.
Flowers earn the country significant
amounts in terms of foreign exchange.
As of September 2022, Kenya exported
cut flowers worth approximately KSh3.3
billion (about USD 26 million).
Indeed our flower industry is growing very
fast. And this, as you know, is helped by
the unique and conducive conditions in the
country that make this sub-sector thrive.
We, for instance, have the best climatic
conditions only comparable to Colombia,
Ecuador, and Ethiopia, which are - in their
own rights - leading flower producers as
well.
We are also located in a geographic
location that straddles the equator
and this enhances these good flower
cultivation conditions. Plus the fact that
the country is a regional logistics hub
has a knowledgeable workforce and is
innovative in different aspects. All these
factors place us in a pole position, giving
us an edge over most of the countries that
grow flowers across the globe.
Accordingly, taking advantage of these
conditions will definitely enhance our
flower productivity and more than improve
our position as a leading floriculture hub.
As you may be aware, Kenya is already the
leading exporter of rose cut flowers to the
European Union (EU) with a market share
of approximately 38 percent. Flowers also
form the bulk of our horticultural export
earnings and employ a significant number
of people, especially women, and youth.
But we can still improve these factors
by enhancing our market presence and
Dagonis® 125 SC
getting even more people employed in
this revolutionary industry, and with
Dreamlike harvest!
that, boost the economy. We can, for
Your new innovative preventative and curative
instance, expand our market reach across
Europe and beyond by venturing into new fungicide for the control of powdery mildew in Roses.
frontiers.
While Europe remains the largest market
for Kenyan flowers, there has to be
concerted efforts to diversify and explore
emerging markets in Asia, the Middle East,
and North America. This strategy can help
Dagonis® contains Xemium®, an innovative active ingredient belonging to the
mitigate the impacts of any fluctuations in
demand from traditional markets and even carboxamide class (SDHI) and Difenoconazole, a well-established and known
open up new avenues for growth. Triazole (DMI). It provides broad spectrum disease control with focus on
powdery mildew.
A growth in Kenya’s floriculture
production and export of flowers will
further consolidate the country’s position How it works
as the leading global supplier of cut Dagonis® builds on the complementary strengths of Xemium® and Difenoconazole
flowers, and this is a fact that, as Kenyans, giving rise to a broad-spectrum product with a reduced resistance risk.
we should be proud of.
Going forward, it is our earnest belief that
the Government will further implement Resistance management
policies that support the country’s flower Repetitive/continual use of Dagonis® 125 SC can lead to pesticide resistance. It is
industry and make all the efforts to expand
recommended that Dagonis® 125 SC is alternated with pest control products with
beyond our traditional markets and in
a different mode of action as well as adhere to good farming practices.
turn guarantee that our flower sub-sector
maintains its upward trajectory or perform
even better.
Try Dagonis® 125 SC today!
Joseph Maina BASF East Africa Limited
Ornamentals Manager – Kenya Phone: +254 20 407 2000
+254 786 856 973 P.O. Box 24271, Nairobi, 00100
joseph.muita@basf.com The Pavilion, 6th Floor Lower Kabete Road. Nairobi, Kenya
www.facebook.com/BASF.AgriculturalSolutions.KE
www.agro.basf.co.ke
 IFTEX IFTEX

12 ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY 13
 Elgon Kenya 4K club
Elgon Kenya’s partnership with
Agriculture ministry revives 4K Club
programme
George Ogutu
General Manager
I
n June, 2021, former President Uhuru
Kenyatta relaunched a branded
4K Club programme for schools
in the country during the Nairobi
International ASK show.
The programme, which had in the past
years been very well established in
schools, especially during the 1980s and
1990s had, hitherto gradually become
defunct as Kenyan schools’ curriculum
evolved in the latter years and in due
course, significantly changed.
Students soon forgot about the
programme, and the danger of
completely neglecting agriculture
among school children and the youth,
suddenly loomed ever large.
The revived 4K Club programme,
is essentially an initiative to create
awareness and inculcate a positive
mindset towards agriculture among
school going children, encouraging
14 ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
them to see the immense benefits of
this sector to the country’s economy
and food security.
This is expected to translate to a more
youthful generation embracing farming
and agriculture and in turn boosting the
sector’s fortunes in the country. The
vast majority of farmers in the country
are now elderly, with an average Kenyan
farmer being between 55-60 years old.
These are the sentiments of Livestock
Development PS, Harry Kimutai, and
many other concerned stakeholders
in the country’s agriculture sector,
highlighting the crucial need to bring
more youths into this important sector.
“The formation and relaunch of the
4K Club programme is a novel idea
expected to attract more youth to
agriculture. This will ensure there is
an agricultural production continuity
in the country. We need to encourage
Kenya’s youth to come into this space
and help them to love agriculture from
their very youthful ages and realize that
farming is indeed beneficial especially in
terms of creating self-employment,” Mr
Kimutai says.
Farming and agriculture inputs
company, Elgon Kenya Ltd recently
unveiled a new category in its annual
National Farmers Awards Scheme, to
acknowledge players and individuals in
4K clubs across the country.
This takes place alongside the awarding
of other farmers that the scheme fetes
for their efforts in the rejuvenation
of Kenya’s economy, and ensuring the
country’s food security.
The launch, which serves to strengthen
the 4K Club movement in Kenya, took
place on February 17 2023, during the
National Farmers Awards gala dinner,
where Elgon Kenya Ltd in collaboration
with the Ministry of Agriculture and
Livestock Development introduced the
4K Clubs Presidential Award Scheme
competition (4K ClubPAS). The 4K
Club category is the latest addition to
the annual National Farmers Awards
list.
Through its Managing Director, Dr
Bimal Kantaria who is a firm believer in
the development of agriculture, Elgon
Kenya Ltd is continuing to reiterate
its adage of not leaving anyone behind
when it comes to enhancing food
security in Kenya. And this has, by and
large, been the motivation behind Elgon
Kenya involvement in the programme.
During the launch of the 4K Club
Presidential Awards Scheme, Dr
Kantaria highlighted the key role that
young people would potentially play in
creating a farming revolution in Kenya,
which informed his company’s resolve
to support the 4K Club programme.
“A key message that we would like
to pass to the youths in the 4K Club
programme is that agriculture is not just
about tilling land and crop cultivation. It
is all about the entire value chain. And
an immense world of opportunities
exists within this value chain,” he said.
“We therefore need more young
people to get into agriculture and fully
engage in it.”
The partnership between Elgon Kenya
Ltd and the Ministry of Agriculture,
therefore, has an ambitious plan for the
4K Club programme, according to the
Elgon Kenya Ltd boss.
“We are looking to have between
700 and 900 schools in the 4K Club
competition. And there is a big team at
the Ministry of Agriculture training the
participants on the same, as well as an
online app that facilitates participation.
The only problem is that there has
always been a stigma that the youth
associate with agriculture,” Dr Kantaria
says.
However, an important factor is that
there are numerous opportunities
that the youth can leverage across
the sector’s value chain, including
in transportation, logistics, IT, and
sales. The youth can engage in any of
these value chains in agriculture and
immensely benefit.
For starters, the 4K Club programme in
Kenya was founded in 1962 after a local
leaders’ visit to the USA where they
were exposed to various agricultural
programmes including the 4-H club.
When they came back to the country,
the Kenyan leaders decided to adopt
the 4-H club concept and principles
which were customized to the 4K Club
for ownership and identity.
Its guiding principle is to empower the
youth with agricultural and life skills
which will contribute towards better
nutrition, health and higher standards
of living. The four Ks in the club’s name
stand for Kuungana, Kufanya, Kusaidia,
Kenya.
KUUNGANA implies the UNITY
of the youth and young farmers as
members of the club to foster growth
and empowerment in the society.
KUFANYA defines ENGAGING in
doing work with one’s hands and mind
in bid to meet the society’s present
needs.
KUSAIDIA denotes to AID or ASSIST
the country by ensuring its progress
ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
through offering innovative solutions
-especially in agriculture- for our
national challenges in KENYA. This
would in turn create an educated,
healthy, self-reliant KENYAN nation that
is assured of prosperity and economic
growth.
Kenya, as widely indicated and just like
the rest of the countries across the
continent and globally, has a rapidly
growing human population that has its
needs.
Demand for nutritious food is
subsequently increasing and hence a
need to have an informed, passionate,
and energetic youthful generation with
an enthusiasm to drive the agriculture
sector in the country, to ensure that we
remain both food and nutrition secure.
Therefore, the relaunch of the 4K
Club programme is largely aimed at
bringing on board more youth into
the agriculture and food production
sector, according to Jane Njeru, the
Communications Officer at the Youth
Unit of the 4K Clubs Programme,
within the Ministry of Agriculture and
Livestock Development.
“We have started by ensuring that
there is a 4K Club in every ward in
Kenya. Thus far we have trained 4K
Club patrons in 27 counties across the
country,” says Ms Njeru.
The 4K Club programme is consequently
on course to achieving the goal of
enhancing Kenya’s agriculture sector
by investing in the youth to motivate
them to embrace agriculture, not just
as a pastime or hobby, but as a full-time
profession.
Kenya’s population of youth is big,
and with the serious challenges in job
creation, the agriculture sector could
potentially provide more than enough
opportunities for these youths to
create rewarding jobs for themselves
and others along the sector’s value
chain.
The youth, for instance, are technology-
savvy and are exposed to the numerous
technological innovations that are
coming up to facilitate agricultural
productivity and significantly boost
the country’s agriculture and in
turn, guaranteeing food security and
economic growth.
Elgon Kenya Ltd, has accordingly
taken up the mantle of spurring the
development of these 4K clubs in the
country, in partnership with both the
government, academia and other private
sector partners, in a bid to motivate
the youths to join the agriculture
bandwagon.
“The National Farmers Awards
Scheme inspires farmers to contribute
more towards the country’s food and
nutrition security. And the inclusion
of the 4K Clubs competition as the
tenth category demonstrates Elgon
Kenya Limited’s commitment to
ensuring that our youth are not left
behind in the quest to showcase
their talents and agripreneurship
skills. Such developments contribute
to improved livelihoods and a firm
shift of the young in their perception
towards agriculture,” Ms Njeru says.
“School children in 4K Clubs will now
be energized to contribute their best
efforts to improving the country’s food
and nutrition security.”
Noteworthy is that the champions being
recognized in the 4K Club competition
will not be limited to students, patrons
and headteachers, but will also feature
other players such as private sector
practitioners, teachers, and anyone else
enthusiastic about walking this journey.
There currently are about 700
registered 4K Clubs mainly found in
primary schools, with an estimated
membership of over 50,000 individuals
countrywide.With the relaunch and the
subsequent introduction of the other
incentives, the belief is that more young
people will join and the youth will adopt
a culture of farming and agribusiness.
15

Model farm that helps neighbouring farmers
improve their agriculture prospects
A
bumper harvest, a model farm for
others to emulate, and an award as the
best woman in agriculture nationwide
are the end results of a farming venture that
Priscah Chelagat Keter started in 2008 after
she lost her husband. Lutiet Farm (which
means the presence of nice things in the
local language ) has demonstrated how
vanguard farmers can turn challenges into
opportunities to spur food security and
improve their livelihoods.
Lutiet Farm started quite unexpectedly.
Chelegat reminisces about her humble
beginnings as a mixed farmer trying to feed
her five children and fend for the family
after the death of her husband. The farm
progressively transformed into one that
neighbours could emulate and Chelegat
herself was now being viewed as a model
farmer. Chelagat has gradually increased
her mastery of farming and is reaping the
fruits. She also grows a range of indigenous
vegetables including cabbages, cowpeas
(kunde), spider plants (sucha), and black
nightshade (managu) which she sells at
Merewet, and Soy markets. Her farm was
recently recognized as the winner in the
Women in Agriculture category at the 2022
National Farmers Awards Scheme organized
by Elgon Kenya Limited and the Ministry of
Agriculture.
“I was really delighted. Sometimes you do
not know you are doing a good job until
you get noticed. I didn’t know that women
farmers too can be recognized,” she says
joyfully after her model farm in Kongasis
village, Soy constituency Uasin Gishu County
was acknowledged during the National
Farmers Awards and to date, continues to
awe her neighbours.
Held every year, the National Farmers
Competition Award Scheme started in 2013
as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with
an objective of scaling up the Presidential
Farmers Competition which only focused
on soil conservation and farm management.
It expanded to include the recognition of
Kenya’s farmers in their efforts to keep the
country food and nutritionally secure.
The National Farmers Awards scheme is
also promoting agribusiness prospects and
encourages participation and adaptation of
commercial farming as a career-especially
ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
Women in Agriculture
among the youth. The awards scheme
took a brief hiatus after the Covid-19
pandemic struck and crippled economies
around the world, with Kenya being among
the countries affected. This year’s awards
scheme held on February 17, was the first
after the Covid-19 induced break, and saw
the winners announced and feted at a gala
dinner in Nairobi.
During the gala night to fete the winners,
Elgon Kneya Ltd Managing Director, Dr Bimal
Kantaria reiterated the efforts to ensure
that Kenya’s young generation are involved
in agribusiness to support the country’s
food security agenda and create meaningful
careers for themselves in the farming and
agriculture industry. For Chelagat, the award
and recognition, she explains, opened doors
for her. She not only got recognition but also
became an instant celebrity in the village.
Her farm is now a buzz of activities receiving
visitors from all walks of life.
“I took the trophy to my local church for
prayers. I have now become a model farmer
receiving visitors every week seeking to
learn about good agricultural practices.
The award also came with a voucher and
other farm input packages from Elgon
Kenya Limited,” says Chelegat.But her
journey to this recognition has not always
been rosy. “When I inherited the farm after
the death of my husband, I was just doing
normal farming. I had little knowledge about
farming,” she recalls. “But gradually I learned
and incorporated good agricultural practices
and now, I’m among those recognised across
the country for my farming practices.”
In 2010, she attended several agricultural
field days, training and keenly followed
agribusiness TV programs. Through these,
she sought to gain more knowledge on
farming and agribusiness to help her carve
a niche in agribusiness, with the agricultural
best practices she gained. Chelagat now
grows maize on 30 acres, and wheat on 15
acres. She also has 30 high-pedigree dairy
cows and 300 chickens, and has also adopted
dry planting technology to improve her
maize yield.
The farm today epitomizes how the power of
partnerships, and farmer training can improve
livelihoods and change the food insecurity
narrative among smallholder farmers across
Priscah Chelagat Keter, Winner in the in Women
Agriculture category receives award from Crop
Development Principal Secretary Philip Kello
Harsama.
the country. Before she gained insights from the
numerous farmer field days and training, she
was recording low productivity from her crops,
but now the yields have improved. She explains:
“I used to harvest around 18 bags (90kg bags)
of maize per acre. Nine bags of wheat per acre.
Today, I harvest between 20-25 bags (90kg bags)
of maize from one acre.”
She adds that she milks 15 cows and gets
between 50 and 60 litres of milk per day
which the farm supplies to the neighbouring
Kipchangui Girls Secondary School (20 litres)
and also Sirikwa Dairy Cooperative Society. “I
sell a litre of milk at between Ksh 60-70 to the
school. I sell another 10 litres t the co-operative
society at between Ksh 43-50 per litre.We have
a ready market for milk,” says Chelegat adding
that she feels it more profitable selling the milk
directly to the institutions.
Poor infrastructure, lack of water for irrigation,
cost of farm inputs, and maize price volatility
are still a hindrance to her farm’s productivity,
she indicates, noting that animal feed prices
have shot up while the leading milk processors
in her locality continue to offer low prices
for milk. She also weighed in on the ongoing
maize importation urging the government not
to interfere with the prices of maize. “The
Government should let maize farmers sell
their produce at a better price and only import
maize when there is a shortage” Chelagat,
however, has no regrets about getting into
farming and agribusiness. For now, she says she
enjoys transferring her knowledge on farming
to other prospective farmers and engaging in
mentorship for fellow farmers, as she ensures
her farming venture grows. “I urge my fellow
farmers to work hard and believe in their
dreams,” she concludes.
17
 Youth in Agriculture
Despite initial challenges, young farmer
is now making a fortune from farming
Reuben Kamuru Mwangi, Winner in the Youth
in Agriculture category receives award from
Crop Development Principal Secretary Philip
Kello Harsama.
O
n his graduation from the
University of Nairobi with a
Bachelor’s degree in Commerce
(Finance option), Reuben Kamuru Mwangi
was among a few lucky individuals who got
an opportunity to work outside Kenya.. He
got employed in Qatar where he worked
for about four years. But he did not quite
like his work and stay in Doha.
Having saved a bit of his earnings, he came
back to Kenya and decided to launch a
water project in his rural home in Daguret
area in Nanyuki, Laikipia County at a cost
of KSh500,000. With a finance background
and a passion for farming, while growing
up, the idea of venturing into agribusiness
soon struck his mind. “I grew up in Uthiru
area, Nairobi County. I remember my
friends used to laugh at me when I said in
class that I would like to become a farmer
when I grow up. In Uthiru, I had a small
kitchen garden where I planted spinach and
carrots,” he recalls.
While still a student years At Upperhill
High School years earlier, he had studied
agriculture as a subject both in form one
and two. But as time went by, he grew into
“a cool guy” who never wanted anything
to do with “dirty soil”. He finally dropped
agriculture completely.
“But now a little older and wiser, the urge
to go back to the farm became stronger,”
he recalls.
18 ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
“It was now time to bring the best out of
my earlier agriculture experience.”
Mwangi’s family land, which is in the arid
parts of Laikipia County was idle and
nobody seemed to want to use if for
anything. But with just enough water,
he knew he could farm it. And with that,
Kamuru Farm which specialises in allium
crops that include onion, garlic, and bullet
chili was born. He also grows tomatoes
and tamarillos. Kamuru Farm sits on a five-
acre piece of land.
In the course of his farming activities,
Mwangi realized that just like any other
business, farming also has its ups and
downs, given the changing weather
patterns, crop and livestock diseases, and
market downturns that many new entrants
into the farming and agriculture space face.
But in due course, he learnt to manage
some of these challenges and even afford
some advice for upcoming farmers.
“As a farmer I realized that it is always
prudent to work backwards,” he advices.
“Start with the market first. Learn its
dynamics. Oftentimes, farmers keep saying
brokers steal from them, yet it is them who
may not be keen on the market dynamics
and how to satisfy what the market needs.”
Located next to Mt Kenya Forest, Kamuru
Farm is always prone to wild animal
invasions. And thus, even before the crops
are mature enough wild animals often
invaded and destroyed virtually all the
plants.
“I remember when I had planted chili and
even observed all the good agricultural
practices until the crop was ready for the
market. Then one night I woke to find my
farm invaded by different animals, all feeding
on crops that were then nearly mature,”
says Mwangi. He, says that he consequently
made a higher fence to especially keep
off the ravenous gazelles which were the
most troublesome, and even did some
research on which crop gazelles didn’t like,
all in a bid to make more profits from his
agribusiness. In due course, Mwangi sought
to find a solution for the water challenges
prevalent in the region where his farm is
located. He therefore built two dams that
hold a cumulative 40,000 litres, which have,
consequently, been serving his farming
needs.
He later encountered more challenges
when his onion crops were ready for
harvest. One night, a herd of elephants
invaded the farm just after a buyer had
paid for the onions and was just waiting
for them to be harvested and delivered.
Mwangi says he lost roughly 30 tonnes
of onions, and saw nearly KSh2.4 million
worth of potential yields and investment go
down the drain as the elephants destroyed
practically all the crops on the farm and a
even huge water tank that he had installed.
“I only managed to salvage two tonnes
from the entire crop,” he says, indicating
that then, his only consolation was his chili
crop, which now produces between 600kgs
and one tonne weekly and sells at KSh80
per kilogram. “If farming wasn’t my passion,
I would no longer be doing it,” he muses.
In 2018, after reducing the size of the land
on which he farmed onions to just half
an acre the crop did so well that during
harvesting villagers sought to learn from
him how he manages to achieve such yields
despite the unfavourable conditions in the
region.
A big break, however, came for him during
the 2023 National Farmers Awards.
Mwangi’s efforts paid off as he clinched
the best Youth in Agriculture title in the
awards scheme sponsored by agriculture
inputs company, Elgon Kenya Limited and
the Ministry of Agriculture. “Actually, I was,
by and large, recognised because of the soil
management practices that I employed on
my farm,” he says.
His mixed farming practices, and the idea
of comprehensively using the available
resources on the farm also helped him
win the recognition. He, now, also has a
fish pond on the farm which provides fish
for consumption. Mwangi, says that he
realises that despite the initial challenges
in his agriculture ventures, he was destined
for success and now several years later
after starting out, he smiles back at the
milestones he has achieved.
 Physically Challenged Persons in Agriculture
Handicapped farmer relies on his one
hand to farm and get bumper yields
T
he Ahero-Kisumu Road always offers
an exciting ride save for the numerous
lorries transporting sugarcane to the
nearby sugar mills and the numerous often
unmanageable bodaboda (motorcycle)
operators crisscrossing the busy highway.
Along the way are expansive rice fields
stretching as far as the eye can see, patches
of green leafy maize and bean crops blooming
as a result of the ongoing heavy rains.
James Oyoo’s farm in Kochogo village,
Nyando Constituency Kisumu County,
several kilometres from the busy road,
however, is a sight to behold. He grows
tomatoes, collard greens (sukuma wiki), and
maize. He has three acres of maize, one acre
of tomatoes, and sukuma wiki on half an acre.
However, Oyoo stands out among other
farmers in that even though he is physically
challenged and farms using one hand, his
crops tell a different story. “Most people
think I can’t do it. But I have been farming for
several years with only one hand,” he starts
our conversation.
He has earned accolades both from the
locals and on the national stage. In mid-
February this year, he was among farmers
honoured by Elgon Kenya and the Ministry
of Agriculture during the 2019 National
Farmers Awards Scheme in Nairobi. The
awards which are sponsored by agriculture
inputs company, Elgon Kenya Ltd and the
Ministry of Agriculture seek to recognize
farmers’ efforts in ensuring that Kenya
remains food secure.
Oyoo was honoured for being among the
best in the Physically Challenged Persons in
Agriculture Prize category in the country. He
vividly remembers his name being announced
on Television and receiving so many calls from
family and friends within the community.
“I was overjoyed when I learnt about the
award,” says the father of four -three girls
and one boy. “Every morning when I wake
up and see the farm it reminds me of my
achievement.”
Until he ventured into full-time farming, he
had been staying and fully depending on his
mother for practically every of his provisions
following the death of his father. Oyoo says
he once worked as a farmhand for several
people but quit to go into menial jobs
within Ahero town before later getting into
agribusiness.
20 ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
In 2000, his mother gave him
Sh5,000 to start farming. It was
a noble gesture that would
later turn into a blessing in
disguise.“I started with sukuma
wiki, which I planted on half an
acre plot. After harvesting I got
a profit of roughly KSh15,000-
20,000,” Oyoo recalls.
Having tasted the fruits of
farming, Mr Oyoo would in
2001, venture into tomatoes
and maize. He plants tomatoes
on half-an-acre and earned
about KShs150,000. He also
earned Sh70,000 from his
maize plantation. “I bought 50 kilograms of
tomato seeds at KSh18,500. I later utilized
the profit to build a house for my family
and pay school fees for my four children in
school,” he adds. Oyoo further elaborates
on his journey to fame: “In 2019, my farm
was chosen for an exhibition that brought
together Kisumu County officials, private
sector players, seed and fertilizer companies.
I emerged as number two in the county
ranking”
During the exhibition, we were trained on
the latest farming technologies that would
increase our productivity, the right seed
varieties to tackle the changing weather
patterns, and the appropriate inputs for our
crops among others. He also received two
bags of fertilizer to improve his productivity.
He would later that same year grace the
national stage when he emerged winner in
the physically challenged category.
Since he bagged the award, he has continued
to teach locals about the right time to plant,
which varieties to plant, how to top dress,
and apply folia and pesticides for a bumper
harvest. “I’m happy that those who come
to my farm to learn have started reaping
the fruits of good agricultural practices,” he
notes.
Two years after the award, he ventured into
rice farming by leasing one and a half acres
in Kakola and Kadibo villages respectively.
“I used Shs 30,000 to lease the two pieces
of land and buy seeds from Ahero irrigation
board. From an acre I harvest about 35,000
bags of unprocessed rice and can fetch up
to Sh180,000 as profit when milled,” Oyoo
explains. He indicates that he has previously
relied fully on local traders for his marketing,
an idea that has not disappointed him.
“I market my produce through referrals.That
is the only way I know. I thank God that word
of mouth reaches traders and my customers
and they come here,” Oyoo says. “I sell
half a sack of sukuma wiki at KShs600. And
sometimes when there is high demand, I just
count five rows of the vegetable plantation at
a cost of Shs600. While a crate of tomatoes
sells at between Ksh 1500-2000.”
However, his main challenge is the lack
of farm equipment including a pump to
distribute the water that he uses to irrigate
the tomatoes and vegetables on his farm.
The adverse effects of climate change, pests
and diseases are also challenges that stall his
farming’s full productivity.
“I used to farm near the River Nyando.
But I moved to a new area after the soil
degenerated and fertility declined and this
too has now come at a cost. I am now forced
to connect extra pipes to pump water
to irrigate my tomatoes and vegetables,”
Oyoo says. “And because of climate change,
nowadays when I plant tomatoes, especially
in the month of June or July, the plants do
abort a lot more.”
Oyoo, who is still thrilled with the recognition
by the National Farmers Awards, advises
farmers to adopt new farming technologies
and also water management practices to
tackle the harsh weather and ever changing
climatic conditions. “I urge farmers to work
hard on their farms, because this is the only
way that we can tackle food insecurity in
Kenya,” he concludes.
ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY 21
 National Farmers Awards National Farmers Award
Farmers are the backbone of Kenya's economy. This is why Elgon Kenya Ltd has always strived to acknowledge
them and the much that they do to ensure that Kenya remains food secure. On February 17, 2023, Elgon
Kenya partnered with the Ministry of Agriculture to acknowledge and reward our country's farmers for their
efforts, through the National Farmers Awards. Here are some photos that showcase how the event was.

22 ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY 23
 National Farmers Awards National Farmers Award

24 ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY 25
 Pest Control Pest Control

KNOW YOUR PESTS

ABOUT INSECTS AND THEIR HARM TO CROPS
AVAUNT 150EC BENEVIA 10 OD

I
nsect pests can cause significant harm to crops by reducing yield
and quality. They can feed on leaves, stems, fruits, and flowers
Insecticide for control
of the plants which can cause direct damage. This can lead to Insecticide for
of Diamond back moth
stunted growth, wilted leaves, and reduced photosynthesis, which can in cabbage, African control of aphids,
ultimately result in reduced crop yields. bollworm and tomato whiteflies, and
leaf moth( Tuta absoluta) thrips on french
In addition to direct damage, insect pests can also transmit diseases, in Tomatoes. Fall army beans, snow peas,
worm in maize. and tomatoes.
which can further harm the crop. This can lead to reduced crop
quality, as well as lower yields.

Insect pests can also cause economic losses by reducing the Benefits.
Fast protection from insect damage Benefits.
marketability of the crop. Some examples of the damage caused by within zero to four hours. Fast acting, pest stop feeding within
specific insect pests include: short pre harvest interval l day minutes after exposure..
Long lasting protection.
Active ingredient: Indoxacarb 150g/L Short pre harvest interval, tomatoes,
french beans, snow peas 1 day
Rate: 6ml/20L: 300ml/Ha
Active ingredient: Cyantraniliprole
100g/L
Pre harvest Interval: tomato, cabbage
Mahesh Sharma, 1 day; maize 3 days.
Rate: 9 -12ml/20L: 450-600ml/Ha

INSECTICIDES Head of Business in agriculture, Elgon Kenya

Pre harvest Interval: 1day

CORAGEN 20SC
Aphids can cause leaf curling, yellowing and wilting, and can ERGO PRO 120EC
also transmit viral plant diseases.
Insecticide for control of
Armyworms can defoliate entire crop, leaving only the caterpillars in tomatoes.
Insecticide/miticide for
stems of the plants. french beans. snow peas.
control of spidermites.
Cutworms can damage seedlings by cutting off the stem at sugar snap, and tomatoes.
caterpillars, thrips,
the soil tuta absoluta in tomatoes.
whiteflies in tomatoes
fall armyworm in maize
surface, causing the plant to die. and diamond back moth in
and roses.
Whiteflies can cause yellowing and shriveled leaves and can cabbage.
also transmit viral diseases.
Benefits.
Therefore, managing insect pests is important for maintaining Fast acting, pest stop feeding within Benefits.
crop production and economic viability for farmers. minutes after exposure .. Low dosage rates.
Long lasting protection.
Highly effective insecticides.
Pre harvest Interval: tomatoes 1 day, Acts on all stages of insect develop­
french beans, snowpeas, sugar snaps, ment- eggs, larvae, adult
cabbage 3 days, maize 7 days
Active ingredient: Acetamiprid 100g/L
Active ingredient: Chlorantraniliprole + Eamamectin benzoate 20g/L
200gl L Rate: 6ml/20L:300ml/Ha
Rate: 6ml/20L: 125ml-150ml/Ha Interval: 7days

26 ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY 27
 Pest Control Pest Control
Kart UP LAMBDASTAR 5EC STARTHENE PLUS TREBON
Insecticide
for control of
caterpillars in Insecticide for Insecticide for control Insecticide for control
tomatoes and control of aphids, of thrips, of aphids,
capsicum. whiteflies, thrips aphids, grasshopper in diamond backmoth,
on tomatoes, tobacco, whiteflies, african
french roses. bollworm in cabbages,
beans, roses roses, tomatoes

Benefits.
Highly cost effective insecticide
Has Long lasting protection.
Fast acting pest stop feeding with
hours of ingestion, preventing
further crop damage.
Active ingredient: Emamectin benzoate
19.2g/L
Rate: 10ml/20L: 0.5L/Ha
Pre harvest Interval: 1day
Benefits. Benefits.
Benefits. Effective and economical insecticide. quick knock down effect.
Rapid knockdown A systemic insecticide controlling short pre harvest interval.
Long lasting protection. major sucking and chewing insects.
EC formulation ensures easy mixing. Been used by farmers over the
years as an execellent tool for pest
Active ingredient:Etofenprox 300g/L
Active ingredientLambda cyhalothrin management.
50g/L
Active ingredient: Acephate 970g/Kg Rate: 6ml/20L: 0.25-0.5L/Ha
Rate: 10ml/20L: 350ml/Ha
Rate: 10g/20L: 0.5Kg/Ha Pre harvest Interval: cabbage; 3 days,
tomato; 1 day
Pre harvest Interval:4 days
Pre harvest Interval: 3 days

ORIZON SECURE UPHOLD 360SC Zoro

Insecticide
for control of miticide and insecticide
caterpillars in roses for the control of mites
Insecticide for and leafminers in Roses.
control of thrips, Miticide for and false codling
moth in avocado. Tomatoes & French
whiteflies, the control of
beans.
nematodes in spidermites
tomatoes and
roses

Benefits. Benefits. Benefits.

Good control at low application Acts quickly and has a long lasting Highly effective insecticide.
protection.
rate. Benefits. Long lasting protection of leafminer
Long lasting protection. Has multiple effect on all insect stages- and spidermited
Controls nymphs and adult stages of
eggs, larvea, adults.
Controls eggs and larvae. mites. Has translaminar activity. protects
Has both ingestion and contact activity. upper and lower side of leafs.
A systemic insecticide Long lasting protection.
difficuIt for pest to escape its action.
Active ingredient: Imidacloprid 120g/L +
Abamectin 30g/L Active ingredient: Abamectin 18g/L
Active ingredient: Spinoteram 60g/L +
Active ingredient: Chlorfenapyr 240g/L Methoxyfenozide 300g/L Rate: 10ml/20L: 0.5L/Ha
Rate: Foliar; 6ml/20L: 300ml/Ha
Drenching; 2L/Ha Rate: 3ml/20L: 0.3L/Ha Rate: 400ml/Ha Pre harvest Interval: tomatoes, french
Pre harvest Interval: 7 days beans 7 days
Pre harvest Interval: Avocado 14days

28 ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY 29
 Pest Control Pest Control
ABOUT INSECTS AND THEIR HARM TO CROPS EAZOLE 240EC EMALAXYL
Crops are susceptible to a wide range of Bacterial diseases: Bacterial diseases such
diseases caused by various pathogens such as fire blight and bacterial wilt can affect
Fungicide for the Fungicide for control
as viruses, bacteria, fungi. These diseases fruit trees and some vegetable crops.
control of leaf, stem & of downy mildew on
can These diseases can cause wilting, dieback,

FUNGICIDES
have a significant impact on crop yields,
reducing the quantity and quality of the
harvest. To maintain high crop yields and
protect the
health of crops, it is essential to implement
effective disease management strategies.
There are many different type of diseases
that can affect crops, and they can vary
depending on the type of crop and the
region where it is grown. Here are some
examples of common diseases that can
affect various crops:
Fungal diseases: Fungal diseases such as
powdery mildew, rust, and downy mildew
can affect a wide range of crops, including
cereals, fruits, and vegetables. These
diseases can cause leaf spotting, wilting,
and reduced yields.
yellow rust in wheat, Roses; Early & late
and fruit rot. rust, angular leaf spot, blight on Potatoes
Viral diseases:Viral diseases such as mosaic anthracnose in french
virus can affect a wide range of crops, beans.
including fruits, vegetables, and ornamental
plants.
These diseases can cause leaf mottling, Benefits.
stunted growth, and reduced yields. It's
Benefits.
Has good activity aganist rust. High quality yields.
important to note that these are just a
Systemic activity, penetrates the
few examples of the many diseases that Long protections of aganist blight
plant rapidly and becomes evenly
can affect crops. There are many other disease.
distributed throughout the leaf.
diseases that can also cause significant Has excellent disease control.
Cost effective solution.
damage to crops. It is important to stay
informed about the diseases that can affect
your crops and to be able to recognize the Active ingredient: Tebuconazole Active ingredient: Metalaxyl 40g/Kg +
240g/L Mancozeb 640g/Kg
symptoms of those diseases so that you
can take appropriate action to manage Rate: Wheat 100ml/20L: 1lt/Ha Rate: 50g/20L: 2.5Kg/Ha
them. 10ml/20L: 0.5L/Ha
Pre harvest Interval: potatoe;14
Pre harvest Interval: french beans 14 days.
days, wheat 36 days

Wear Protective Clothing

EQUATION PRO PROVINE
Before using Pesticides

Fungicide for the control

of early & late blight in Fungicide for the
potatoes, tomatoes, control of early &
CHAMPION 50WP CUPROS 50WP downy mildew in snow late blight in tomatoes.
peas, sugarsnap, onions,
flowers, powdery mildew
Fungicide for the control Fungicide for the in cucurbits, bean rust,
of coffee berry disease control of coffee leaf anthracnose & angular
and leaf rust in coffee, rust, coffee berry leaf spot in french beans.
early & late blight on disease in coffee,
tomatoes,angular lead spot, anthracnose, rust &
rust & anthracnose in french bacterial blight in Benefits.
beans, botrytis & black spots french beans Benefits. Provides protection at increased
in roses. Provides multi layer and longer disease pressure.
duration of protection-14 days. Quickly absorbed by the leaves.
Benefits. Benefits. A complete disease control and also Ideal to use for disease resistance
Small particle size resulting in Hi-load copper formulation. checks further disease spread. management.
excellent coverage and disease
Long term protection and excellent
protection. Active ingredient: Dimethomorph
rainfastness Active ingredient: Famoxadone 225g/
Multi site mode of action. Easy mixing and clean spraying. 400g/Kg + Cymoxanil 100g/Kg
Kg + Cymoxanil 300g/Kg
Active ingredient: Copper oxychloride Rate: 10g/20L: 400g/Ha Rate: 15g/20L: 750g/Ha
Active ingredient: Copper hydroxide 77%
84% (equivalent to metallic copper 50%)
(equivalent to metallic copper 50%) Pre harvest Interval: tomatoes; 3
Pre harvest Interval: potatoe;14
Rate: Coffee 140g/Kg: 7.7Kg/Ha40g/20L: Rate: Coffee 140g/Kg: 7.7Kg/Ha 40g/20L: days.
days, tomatoes,snow peas,sugar snap,
2Kg/Ha 1.6Kg/Ha
onions, french beans,cucurbit; 3 days
Pre harvest Interval: coffee 14days, Pre harvest Interval: coffee 14 days,
tomatoe, french beans 3 days french beans 3 days

30 ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY 31
 Pest Control Pest Control
STARGEM TOPSIN M ABOUT PLANT WEEDS AND THEIR MANAGEMENT

HERBICIDES
Weeds are unwanted plants that manual removal of weeds, using tools
compete with crops for resources such as hoes or cultivators.
Fungicide for the control such as sunlight, water, and nutrients.
Fungicide for the Integrated weed management: A
of powdery mildew, Effective management of
control of early & late combination of these methods is
anthracnose, leafspots,
blight on tomatoes. weeds in crop production can involve often the most effective way to
black rot, fusarium,
potatoes. botrytis in a combination of methods, including: control weeds in crop production.
botrytis, blackrot in french
roses. beans, mangoes, pawpaw, Cultural control: This includes It's important to note that proper
roses, avocado, banana, practices such as crop rotation, identification of the weed species
grapes, wheat tillage, and mulching, which can is crucial to choose the right
help to reduce weed growth and seed management strategy. Some weeds
germination.
are resistant to certain herbicides, and
Chemical control: Herbicides can be others may have multiple resistance.
Benefits. used to control weeds in crop fields, Therefore, it's always recommended
Benefits. Systemic mode of action, protects new but it is important to choose the to use a combination of methods
growth. correct herbicide for the and to monitor the field regularly
A multi site inhibitor. stops
fungi development at various A preventative, curative and to check for new weed emergence
specific weeds present and to use it
points during development. eradicative action for complete disease and adapt the management strategy
at the correct time and rate.
control. accordingly.
Has high margin of crop safety Mechanical control: This includes
.
Active ingredient: Thiophanate
methyl 500g/L
Active ingredient:
Mancozeb 800g/Kg Rate: 20-25ml/20L: 1-2L/Ha

Rate: 50g/20l Pre harvest Interval: rice; 15 days, Wear Protective Clothing
french beans, oranges;10 days,
Pre harvest Interval: avocado, wheat, barley, mango,
While mixing & spraying Pesticides
tomatoes, potatoes 14 days. orange, banana; 14days

BROADSTRIKE CLINIC
Benefits.
CONSENTO 450 SC Fast absorption rate A post emergence, non
Pre-emergence selective herbicide for
Systemic and translaminar action, herbicide for the the control of annual
growth and reproduction of pathogens control of annual and perennial weeds
stops broadleaf weeds in in wheat, maize,
dry beans sugarcane, coffee, tea
Prevents the development of resistant
A fungicide for pathogens.
the control of Used at any phase of plant development
downy mildew in
roses, late blight Benefits.
in potatoes, and Active ingredient:
Fenamidone 75g/L + Propamocarb
Benefits. Consistency in weed control.
purple blotch in
onions. hydrochloride 375g/L. Highly selective to weeds. A good crop safety.
Allows weeds to be controlled early. Convinient to use.
Rate:
compactible with a wide range of
Roses 2.5L/Ha
heribicides and insecticides. Active ingredient: Glyphosate
Potatoes 2.0L/Ha isopropylamine salt 480g/L
Onions 1.0L/Ha
Active ingredient: Flumetsulam 800g/Kg Rate: 300-600ml/20L, 2-3L/Ha
Pre harvest Interval: Rate: 36g/Ha
Onions/ Potatoes 14 days Pre harvest Interval: coffee,maize,
Pre harvest Interval: beans;85 days. wheat,tea; 24 days.

32 ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY 33
 Pest Control
DICOPUR
Pre-emergence and
post emergence
herbicide for the
control of annual and
perennial broadleaf
weeds in maize, wheat,
coffee.
Benefits.
A good weed control for 1-4 weeks.
Applied to weeds, adhere well to the
surface of the leaf and penetrate to
the plant.
Active ingredient: Dimethylamine salf of
2,4 - dichlorophenyl acetic acid 720g/L
Rate: 100-200ml/20L, 1-2L/Ha
Pre harvest Interval: coffee;14 days,
maize; 7 days, wheat; 30 days.
GLYCEL
A post emergence, non
selective herbicide for the
control of annual
and perennial weeds in
tea and minimum tillage in
carnation.
Benefits.
Consistency in weed control.
A good crop safety.
Convinient to use.
Active ingredient: Glyphosate
isopropylamine salt 480g/L
Rate: 250ml/20L: 2.5L/Ha
Pre harvest Interval: tea 21 days.
34 ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
Plant Nutrition
GLEAN 75DF STARMET
Early post-emergence Post-emergence
Pre & post-emergence herbicide for control herbicide for control
herbicide for the control of annual and of annual and
of broadleaf weeds & perennial grasses perennial grasses and
some grasses in wheat, & broad leaf weeds broad leaved weeds in
barley. in sugarcane and non cropped areas
potatoes.
Benefits. Benefits.
Benefits. Controls a wide range of weeds early Easy to use paunch l00gm.
Long period of weed control. on leading to increased yields Efficient use in hardwater because
A pre and post emergence, flexible Acts through the roots and leaves. of ammonium sulphate.
to farmer use. Its economical and with low dose works fast 2-4 hours after
Broad spectrum of broad leaf weed rate. application.
control.
Active ingredient : Metribuzin 700g/Kg
Active ingredient:
Active ingredient : Chlorsulfuron Rate: potatoes 17.5g/20L: 350g/Ha, Ammonium salt of glyphosate
750g/Kg sugarcane 50g/20L: 500g/Ha 710g/Kg
Rate: 20g/Ha Pre harvest Interval: potatoes; 60 days, Rate: 75-100g/20L:
Pre harvest Interval: wheat,barley; sugarcane; 90 days.
70 days.
PLANT NUTRITION
Plants require a variety of essential and root development, blossom-end rot, and
nutrients to survive and grow. Essential tip burn.
nutrients are those that plants cannot
FERTILIZERS
Sulfur (S): Sulfur is necessary for the
NEMESIS synthesize on their own and must be
obtained from the soil or other sources.
synthesis of amino acids and proteins.
Deficiency results in stunted growth,
The essential elements include:
yellowing of the leaves and poor seed
Post-emergence Nitrogen (N): Nitrogen is necessary for formation.
herbicide for control of the synthesis of proteins, enzymes, and
Magnesium (Mg): Magnesium is necessary
annual and perennial chlorophyll, which are all essential for
for the synthesis of chlorophyll and the
grasses and broad healthy growth. Nitrogen deficiency
transfer of energy within the plant.
leaved weeds in non results in yellowing of the leaves and
Deficiency results in yellowing of the
cropped areas. stunted growth.
leaves and stunted growth.
Phosphorus (P): Phosphorus is necessary
Besides essential elements, there are also
for root development, energy transfer,
micronutrients that plants need in small
and the production of flowers and
amounts, including zinc (Zn), iron (Fe),
fruits. Deficiency results in poor root
copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), boron (B),
Benefits. development, slow growth, and small,
molybdenum (Mo).
discolored leaves.
A great tool for minimum tillage.
Plant nutrition plays a vital role in
Non residual. no delay in planting Potassium (K): Potassium is necessary for
crop production. Adequate nutrition is
the next crop. the regulation of water uptake and the
necessary for plants to produce healthy
synthesis of proteins and sugars. Deficiency
Controls grasses and broad leafed growth, resist disease, and produce a
results in stunted growth, wilting, and leaf
weeds. high yield. Proper management of plant
yellowing.
nutrition through techniques such as
Calcium (Ca): Calcium is necessary for cell soil testing, crop rotation, and fertilizer
Active ingredient: Glyphosate 371g/L wall development and the regulation of application can help farmers optimize
+ 2,4-D 24g/L enzyme activity. Deficiency results in poor crop production and increase yield.
Rate: 125ml/20L: 2.5L/Ha
Explore Our World
Of Plant Nutrition
ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY 35
 Plant Nutrition
aton AZ
Aton AZ a biostimulant that
is easily uptaken by the plant
leaf and contains a mixture
of essential micronutrients
together amino acids that helps
reduce plant stress i.e. drought
stress.
Calitech
Calitech is a concentrated
solution containing calcium
nitrate formulated to prevent
and correct disorders caused
by calcium deficiency such as
blossom end rot.
Provides calcium nutrition
and soil conditioning in
a convenient granular
form. ensures effective pH
management, resulting in a
rapid crop response.
final K
Final K is a concentrated
potassium liquid fertiliser for
crop nutrition.
prevents and treats potassium
deficiency.
Granu potasse
A high grade granular sulfate of
potash (SOP) for direct
application to
the soil. it contains 50% potash-
(K2O) and 18% sulfur(S)
36 ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
Benefits.
Efficient bio stimulant and anti stress
effect.
Great efficiency in foliar absorption.Its
economical and with low dose rate.
Rate: 50-80ml/20L
Benefits.
Prevents calcium deficiency; blossom
end rot, tip burn in leafy vegetables,
cracking and disfigurement in fruits
Improves pollination success.
Decreases fruit drop and abortions.
Rate: 50-100ml/20L
Benefits.
Corrects soil pH to the most
productive level.
Provides essential calcium to enhance
crop quality
Maximizes utilization of key fertilizers
Rate: 300-600kg/Ha
Benefits
Optimise the uptake of pottasium into
the leaf
Improves fruit coloration and sugar
content
Improves firmness and yield.
Rate: 50-100ml/20L
Benefits.
Improves crop yield and quality
Helps boost the crop resistance to
stress.
Free flowing robust grannules, free of
dust.
Rate: 200-500kg/Ha
Plant Nutrition
K leaf
A concentrated pottasium
booster for
foliar appliction during periods
of crop
growth when pottasium is at its
highest demand. It contains
52%
potash-(K2O) and 47% sulfur(S)
Megafol
Contains a line of vitamins,
amino acid, and proteins,
betaines and growth factors.
Applied regularly, promotes
balanced vegetative
development and productivity.
tradebor Mo
tradebor Mo is a
mix of boron with
molybdenum, boron
stops flower
drop and helps
pollination. mo is the
key for nitrogen
Nutrivant triple 19
19-19-19 +2MgO +TE+FV
A balanced fully soluble
formulation that contains
macro-micro nutrients that
cover the crops’s need.
The nutrient balance promote
tillering and higher grain
number and quality
THABITI CAN 27%
Contains calcium ammonium
nitrate for use in crops
Its uniformed sized granules
ensure well distribution and
spreading thus immediately
available for plant growth.
ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
Benefits.
Improves the yield and quality of fruits
and vegetables.
Provides increased durability and
resistance; firmer fruits and vegetables
Is cost effective.
Rate: 5-10kg/Ha
Benefits.
Anti-stress and growth activator
Stimulates growth of plants and
improves effectiveness of treatments.
Promotes vegetal growth during
environmental stress.
Rate: 50m/20L
Benefits
Prevents and corrects boron defencies.
Improves flowering, pollen germination,
flower fecundation. fruit set and fruit
development.
Improves the quality of grains.
Rate 50-100ml/20L
Benefits.
The accelerated nutrient penetration
persists for as long as 4 weeks.
Firmly attaches to the leaf surface
anddelays evaporation.
Improves penetration of nutritional
macro and micro elements.
Rate: 100-200g/20L
Benefits.
Contains all the registered nutrients.
Uniform distribution of nutrients
across the entire field.
Each granule contains the correct
ratio of all the nutrients.
37
 Plant Nutrition Plant Nutrition
THABITI DAP, 18-46-0 Benefits.
THABITI super fertilizer planting; Benefits.
General horticulture Tailor made fertiliser blend based
Ensures good root system growth.
A great source of plant Provides immediate needs on soil test information
nutrients phosphorus and Optimal fertiliser for planting. of the young seedlings to Crop specific requirement.
nitrogen, quickly dissolve in the ensure stronger seedlings
Uniform distribution of nutrients Provides balanced nutrition.
soil to liberate phosphate and that can better tolerate
across the entire field. Keeps soil healthy by balancing soil
ammonium for plant stress conditions. disease
uptake. and pests. acidity.

12-25-12+3S+4Ca+0.2Zn+0.1B+0.2Mg

THABITI UREA
46% THABITI super Benefits
Benefits.
fertilizer top dress; maize/cereals Tailor made fertiliser blend based
Has high nitrogen content.
Provides the plants with on soil test information
Optimal fertiliser for top dressing. Provides immediate needs
nitrogen to promote green Crop specific requirement.
of the crop to ensure crop
leafy growth leading to optimal Uniform distribution of nutrients vigor, vegetative, Provides balanced nutrition.
yields. across the entire field flowering, fruiting and
higher yields during crop Keeps soil healthy by balancing soil
production. acidity

40N+6.5S

THABITI super THABITI super Benefits

fertilizer planting; maize Benefits fertilizer top dress; potato Tailor made fertiliser blend based on
Tailor made fertiliser blend based soil test information
Provides immediate on soil test information.
needs of the young Provides immediate needs Crop specific requirement.
seedlings to ensure Crop specific requirement. of the crop to ensure crop
Provides balanced nutrition. vigor, vegetative, Provides balanced nutrition.
stronger seedlings that
can better tolerate stress Keeps soil healthy by balancing soil flowering, fruiting and Keeps soil healthy by balancing soil
conditions. disease and acidity. higher yields during crop acidity
pests. production.
17-30-6+3S+2Ca+0.4Zn 24-0-24+4S+1Ca+0.2Mg+0.1Zn+0.1B+0.1Mn

THABITI super Benefits. THABITI super fertilizer top dress; Benefits

fertilizer planting; Potato Tailor made fertiliser blend based on General horticulture Tailor made fertiliser blend based on
soil test information soil test information
Provides immediate needs Crop specific requirement.
Provides immediate needs of Crop specific requirement.
of the young seedlings to Provides balanced nutrition.
ensure stronger seedlings that the crop to ensure crop vigor, Provides balanced nutrition.
Keeps soil healthy by balancing soil vegetative, flowering, fruiting
can better tolerate stress Keeps soil healthy by balancing soil
acidity. and higher yields during crop
conditions. disease and pests. acidity
production.
13-26-13+3S+2Ca+0.2Zn+0.1B+0.2Mn 16-9-20+1S+3Ca+1Mg+0.3Zn+0.2B+0.4Mn

THABITI super Benefits.

THABITI super fertilizer top dress;
fertilizer planting; Rice Tailor made fertiliser blend based on
Rice
Benefits
soil test information Tailor made fertiliser blend based
Crop specific requirement. on soil test information
Provides immediate needs Provides balanced nutrition. Provides immediate needs of Crop specific requirement.
of the young seedlings to the crop to ensure crop vigor,
ensure stronger seedlings that Keeps soil healthy by balancing soil Provides balanced nutrition.
vegetative, flowering, fruiting
can better tolerate stress acidity.
and higher yields during crop Keeps soil healthy by balancing
conditions. disease and pests. production. soil acidity

11-23-22+3S+1.5Ca+0.2Mg+0.1Zn+0.1B 30-1-11+4S+2.5Ca+1Mg

38 ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY 39
 Plant Nutrition Plant Nutrition
THABITI super
fertilizer top dress; Tea Benefits
Tailor made fertiliser blend based THABITI super
on soil test information Benefits.
Provides immediate needs fertilizer Ratoon; Sugarcane
of the crop to ensure Crop specific requirement. Tailor made fertiliser
crop vigor, vegetative, A great source of plant blend based on soil test
Provides balanced nutrition.
flowering, fruiting and nutrients phosphorus. information
higher yields during crop Keeps soil healthy by balancing nitrogen. pottasium Crop specific requirement.
production. soil acidity plus essential micro Provides balanced nutrition.
nutrients to improve the
Keeps soil healthy by
yield and quality and
balancing soil acidity.
resistance to disease of
25-5-5+3.5S+5.5Ca+1Mg+0.5Zn+0.3B your sugarcane crop.

THABITI super 14-7-21+4S+5Ca+2.5Mg+1Zn

fertilizer top dress;Coffee
Benefits.
Tailor made fertiliser blend based
Provides immediate needs
of the crop to ensure
on soil test information THABITI super
crop vigor, vegetative, Crop specific requirement.
fertilizer top dress; Sugarcane Benefits.
flowering, fruiting and Provides balanced nutrition.
Tailor made fertiliser
higher yields during crop Keeps soil healthy by balancing soil Provides immediate blend based on soil test
production. acidity. needs to ensure crop information
crop vigor, vegetative,
Crop specific requirement.
flowering. fruiting and
22-6-12+3S+4Ca+0.5Mg+0.4Zn+0.2B higher yields Provides balanced nutrition.
during crop production Keeps soil healthy by
balancing soil acidity.

THABITI super
fertilizer triple 17 Benefits.
Tailor made fertiliser blend based on 26-0-26+2S+2Ca+1Mg+0.5Zn
An all purpose and soil test information
balanced fertiliser that
Crop specific requirement.
provides the necessary
nutrients for your crop Provides balanced nutrition.
in order to thrive and Keeps soil healthy by balancing soil
boost new growth acidity. THABITI super
fertilizer planting; Sugarcane Benefits.
17-17-17+0.4Zn Tailor made fertiliser blend
based on soil test information
Provides immediate Crop specific requirement.
THABITI super needs of the young Provides balanced nutrition.
fertilizer 23:23:0 Benefits. seedlings to ensure Keeps soil healthy by balancing
Tailor made fertiliser blend based stronger seedlings that soil acidity.
Provides the plants on soil test information can better tolerate stress
with nitrogen and conditions, disease and
Crop specific requirement. pests.
phosphorus plus
micro nutrients Provides balanced nutrition.
to promote crop Keeps soil healthy by balancing soil
growth. germination, acidity.
flowering and yield. 14-30-7+3S+4Ca+0.5Zn

23-23-0+3S+4Ca+0.2Mg+0.5Zn

40 ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY 41
 FUNGICIDE

500 EC
Spiroxamine 500g/L
A SYSTEMIC FOLIAR APPLIED FUNGICIDE FOR THE CONTROL OF POWDERY MILDEW ON ROSES AND RUST ON CARNATIONS.

INSECT MANAGEMENT
SOLUTION
Quick knockdown & residual control of
Caterpillars in Roses and Avocados. The ideal choice against Powdery Mildew and Rust!
 THE UNIQUE CHOICE : Spirox is a reliable tool against powdery mildew.
Active Ingredient:
Jemvelva (Spinetoram) 60g a.i/L  GET IN CONTROL: Spirox early season applica�on is crucial to an effec�ve powdery mildew
and Methoxyfenozide 300g a.i/L management, this provides the best possible start to the powdery mildew program.

Application rate: 0.4L/Ha  STAY IN CONTROL: Spirox Keeps the disease levels down early allowing for a more flexible,
leaner and targeted approach later in the season.
WHO Classification: III
 CONFIDENCE IN THE TECHNOLOGY: Thirty percent of the ac�ve ingredient is taken up into
IRAC Group: 5 & 18
the plant within 10 minutes, with the remainder of the ac�ve ingredient being almost
Corteva AgriscienceTM Distributed by: completely taken up within 3 hours.
Keystone Park, Block B, 3rd Floor, Riverside Drive
P.O. Box 53384 - 00200, Nairobi Kenya
Tel: + 254 709 142 000
DISTRIBUTED BY:
4th Floor, Goodman Tower, Waiyaki Way, Westlands
For more information call: 0724 221 870 or 0723 771 666 PO Box 14360 - 00800 Nairobi, KENYA
www.upl-ltd.com Tel: +254 772 958 602 www.upl-ltd.com/ke

Visit us at corteva.co.ke
®,TM
Trademark of Dow AgroSciences, DuPont or Pioneer and their affiliated companies or respective owners.
Always read and follow label directions. ©2023 Corteva.
 Partnership
Elgon Kenya’s partnership with UoN will
enhance farming culture among youths
Mit Gudka GAICD, CA
Regional Financial Controller
On April 6, 2022, twenty two students from
the University of Nairobi’s (UON) Faculty of
Agriculture were announced by the institution’s
Vice Chancellor, Prof Kiama Gitahi, Dr Bimal
Kantaria, the CEO of leading agriculture input
supplier Elgon Kenya Ltd, and the then PS for
Treasury, Dr Julius Muia.
The students who hailed from 13 different
counties, including Elgeyo Marakwet, West
Pokot, Trans-Nzoia, Nandi, Homa Bay, Siaya,
Vihiga, Kericho, Nakuru, Kiambu, Nairobi,
Murang’a, and Nyeri, had been selected and
were ushered into a new programme seeking
to train and impart them with the necessary
and practical skills to address real-life issues
that farmers in Kenya face.
This event marked a milestone in a purpose-
driven partnership between the UON and
Elgon Kenya Ltd; a partnership that, to date,
remains and seeks to enhance the country’s
food security, grow the economy and provide
employment opportunities for Kenya’s youth,
and attract more young people to agriculture.
Just a few months before, in December 2021,
the two institutions had signed a memorandum
of understanding that paved the way for the
construction of an Agricultural Technology and
Innovation Centre (ATIC) at UON’s College
of Agriculture and Veterinary Services, at its
Upper Kabete Campus.
The idea behind establishing the center was
a necessity for universities to churn out well-
rounded graduates capable of effortlessly
44 ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
integrating into the agriculture career and
partaking in virtually all the workings that the
sector entails, according to Dr Kantaria.
“The venture is born out of the need to
foster a culture of innovation, promote
resource mobilization for development and
commercialization of market-demanded
products and services,” said Prof. Gitahi, during
the signing of the MoU between the two
institutions. “At the same time, it will train and
mentor innovators and entrepreneurs in order
to increase chances of commercial success and
to accelerate uptake of technology along the
agricultural value chains.”
Essentially, the KSh50 million ATIC, whose
plan has already been approved by the county
council, is a bestowal from Elgon Kenya Ltd to
UON, for the development of the agriculture
sector in Kenya.
When complete and fully operational, the
state of the art ATIC is expected to nurture
prospective youthful agriculturists and farmers,
and also strengthen innovations in agriculture
and entrepreneurship.
The aim is, however, to foster the adoption of
cutting-edge innovations that would ensure job
creation, product development, and enhanced
agricultural productivity in the country.
The ultimate goal of the project, which is
being implemented through the partnership
between Elgon Kenya Ltd and UON, is to
guarantee a thriving agricultural sector in the
country -and hence food security- and ensure
enhanced economic growth that provides
sources of livelihoods for all Kenyans.
Agriculture remains the backbone of Kenya’s
economy, the more the reason Kenya’s youth
need to be comprehensively involved in the
sector. Across the globe, such agriculture
programmes and agricultural technology
incubation centers are becoming instrumental
in developing this sector.
“Our youths and graduates need to be
smart and savvy enough when it comes to
being practical in agriculture. This is why we
partnered with UON to come up with both
the ATIC project and also this internship
programme,” says Dr Kantaria.
If the same strategy is replicated and scaled
up, Kenya’s agricultural productivity would be
greatly enhanced and jobs created for millions
of youths along the agriculture value chain,
according to Prof Kiama. He reckons that when
complete, ATIC will be a hub for agriculture
technology, hopefully, the same strategy will
diffuse across the rest of the country.
Echoing Dr Kantaria’s sentiments, UON
Faculty of Agriculture’s Prof John Kimenju,
who is the Chair of the committee driving the
establishment of the ATIC explains that the
main motivation behind this partnership has
always been the existent disconnect between
theoretical and practical competencies of
graduates.
While, on one hand, these graduates possessed
greater theoretical skills, they, on the other
hand, lacked practical skills to address the
current challenges that bedevil Kenya’s food
security efforts.
The partnership, therefore, seeks to train
the learners and also bridge the knowledge
gap between academia and the industrial
requirements for these graduates.
“We -alongside prospective employers from
the private sector- realized that graduates
largely fell short in terms of hands-on skills,
despite being adept in theoretical skill sets.And
Elgon Kenya Ltd came in as a private sector
partner volunteering to provide the requisite
resources and all that is needed to inculcate
the necessary practical skills to our students,”
Prof Kimenju says.“Elgon Kenya basically wants
to address the issue of practical, hands-on skills
that the students require to succeed.
The agriculture inputs company is a leader
in the latest agricultural technology and
innovations for both crop productivity and
livestock production. It is for this reason
that the trainee programme felt comfortable
working with Elgon Kenya Ltd, according to
Prof Kimenju.
Currently, there are an array of challenges
that agriculture as a sector in Kenya faces.
From climate change to the emergence of
new pests and diseases, poor and ineffective
farming inputs such as seeds and chemicals,
inappropriate equipment and machinery, and
the challenge of youths shunning agriculture,
leaving it for the elderly generation.
Such challenges can only be fully addressed
through partnerships such as the one between
UON and Elgon Kenya Ltd, and other
prospective similar ones.
The institutions’ internship programme
involves UON first publishing a call for
expression of interest and the students
from different faculties -including Agriculture,
Veterinary Studies, and Engineering- apply.
The shortlisting is done through interviews
conducted by both the university and Elgon
Kenya Ltd.
The successful applicants are placed in
different establishments that the agriculture
input supplier runs across different counties in
the country, based on wherever the applicant
selects.
Kenya’s different regions possess different
challenges that affect farming and agricultural
productivity. However, being an all-round
agricultural solutions provider, Elgon Kenya Ltd
has, over the years, amassed vast experience
in addressing these challenges based on their
specific regions of occurrence.
The successful students, therefore, get all the
required hands-on training as they work in
real-life situations, at the grassroots levels with
farmers. They also work hand-in-hand with
Elgon Kenya’s competent agricultural experts
and supervisors, and those from UON.
“The trainees, in this case, get the gist of the
issues that affect our agricultural productivity
ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
Partnership
right from the farmers themselves. They
practically learn how these issues affect the
farmers, and the country’s food security and
sustainability, and how they can be addressed.
The apprentices even take part in solving the
issues affecting farmers,” Prof Kimenju says.
And the news gets even better for the trainees
as Elgon Kenya Ltd provides them with a
monthly stipend to support their upkeep
during the training which lasts six months.
The partnership also has provided the interns
with an award certificate from Elgon -Kenya
after the end of the internship programme, a
document which is crucial for interns in the
job market.
At the end of the training, the students have
the freedom to venture wherever they believe
their acquired knowledge will be put into
practice and be beneficial in enhancing Kenya’s
economic growth and food security through
farming and agriculture.
Of the 22 trainees in the first cohort of
interns, at least six have already been absorbed
by Elgon Kenya Ltd and now work with the
company in different departments including
animal health, sales and marketing and fertilizer
blending. Some have already been hired by
different agriculture-focused companies in
the country, while others have started their
farming and agriculture startups.
All these, the bubbly trainees said, were made
possible through the practical knowledge
and hands-on skill sets they gained from the
programme.
“The experience I gained in sales and
marketing made me acknowledge the
challenges and learn, making them a stepping
stone to move forward. I also learned a lot
in regard to agriculture, for instance pest
scouting and disease management,chemical
handling,sanitary and phyto-sanitary
regulations among many other fields in
agriculture,” says Meshack Kimutai, who
studied Crop Protection at UON, and was
stationed at Elgon Kenya’s sales and marketing
department for the internship programme.
“This experience helps in building resilience
and making bold steps when it comes to
making choices and decisions, and also builds
a zeal for work.
Gift Kipkoech who was attached at Elgon
Kenya’s sales and marketing division for her
apprenticeship noted that the collaboration
enabled them to bridge the gap between
academia and the professional field.
“It provided the platform to practice what we
have learnt in school and avenues to further
explore the field. It has been an eye-opener
to various entrepreneurial opportunities
within the field, all which we would otherwise
have overlooked,” Gift says. “The experience
gave us an opportunity to appreciate the
agricultural field, and the chance to grow
within it. Furthermore, Elgon Kenya Ltd has
created job opportunities for us, graduates
and for that we are grateful.”
Lila Esther Nyokabi, who underwent the
internship programme at the farm inputs
company, also acknowledged the importance
of the internship.
“Elgon Kenya plays a leading role in closing
the gap between classroom training and
industry. This internship programme provided
an opportunity for us and other cohorts to
put into practice knowledge gained from
purposive classroom training, in addition to
learning new skills and work ethics,” she noted.
Elgon Kenya Ltd, Prof Kimenju opines, is fully
committed to building Kenya’s agriculture
sector.
“The company gives in a great way back to
society and does not expect anything in
return. The only expectation is that Kenya’s
agriculture sector is enhanced, the economy
rejuvenated and the country achieves and
maintains food security,” he says.“Through this
partnership, the university seeks to deepen its
collaboration with Elgon Kenya and nurture
the spirit of innovation and community service
among students and Kenyans.”
45
 Preparing Agriculture Students
For the Job Market
The first-of-its-kind partnership between Elgon Kenya Limited and the University of Nairobi to grow
the agriculture sector saw the agro-inputs company open up its doors to students from the university
in an internship programme.
During the placement programme, the students served in various departments from sales and
marketing to animal health at the agro-input company. In this section, we profile the first cohort
of 20 students who benefitted from the programme and afford them the platform to discuss their
experiences.
Kimutai Kiptoo
Meshack
Kimutai studied Bachelor of
Science Degree in Agriculture,
Crop Protection Major and
was attached to the sales and
marketing department where
he took part in marketing Elgon Kenya products to farmers,
and distributors, and in agricultural trade fairs. With this, he
sought to expand the retail base of the company’s products
throughout the given regions and beyond.
Mahmoud
Mohamed Ali
Mahmoud graduated in
September 2021 from the
University of Nairobi, College
of Agriculture and Veterinary
Medicine with a Bachelor of
Science Degree in Agriculture
(Crop Science Major).
He underwent the internship
programme at Elgon Kenya in the sales and marketing department.
Part of his duties included attending farmers' training to learn
how to train farmers on agricultural practices while marketing
Elgon Kenya products. He also visited farmers to offer them
extension advice and conduct field demonstrations. Mohamed is
currently employed by Elgon Kenya where he works in the sales
and marketing department.
46 ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
Preparing Agriculture Students
For the Job Market
Derick Andalia Victor Lituli
Lumasia Matunda
Derick studied for a Victor worked as an
degree in Management intern in the Department
of Agroecosystems and of animal health. While in
Gift Kipkoech Environment. Working in the university he pursued
the marketing department Bachelor’s Degree in
Kibet during the internship Veterinary Medicine. His
programme, he did stock- work revolved around
taking on the different sales and marketing of
Gift studied BSc in Horticulture Elgon Kenya dealers within animal health products
and was attached to Elgon Kenya’s the Nairobi Metropolitan Service area by comparing the such as veterinary drugs
sales and marketing division movement of stocks on a weekly basis if there were any to agrovets within the Nairobi region to push sales and
where among other duties he slow-moving products. He also visited farmers and offered make sure that these products reach the end user. He was
did over-the-counter sales of them advice while marketing the company’s products to also involved in the training of agrovet shop attendants
products and got acquainted them. He also carried out farm demos of products while on the use of veterinary products, how they work, their
with customers. He also provided pushing Elgon Kenya’s products in agrovets and doing application and the benefits of using them as well as how to
extension services. random visits to farmers to assist them in any challenges convert the knowledge into solving the farmers’ problems.
that they faced
“My experience with Elgon Kenya has been great. I learnt quite
a lot about marketing and the agricultural field in general.
I also gained social skills and learnt how to interact with
different people. The team at Elgon Kenya is very welcoming
and ready to teach.This has impacted me positively and given
me the opportunity to learn more and better myself,” he says. Gideon Onyango Bernice Wangechi
Okumu Wangome
Gideon studied Agriculture,
As a marketer, Bernice
represented the
Education and Extension
Pkopus face of Elgon Kenya
and interned at the mar-
Limited's products
Norman keting department. He was
and services. With a
attached in Kisumu County
team of five members,
Norman took part in the where he worked with the
attached to Nyeri
internship programme with marketing team to create
County, she reached
Elgon Kenya Ltd and shares his demand for Elgon Kenya’s
out to customers. She
experience. products in the county. In the course of the programme,
implemented strategies that promote brand awareness
he took part in ground-works and farm visits to individual
and drive sales of the company’s products and services.
He says: “I studied BSc. farms, training them based on the crops they grow and
This, they did by creating awareness through door-to-
Agriculture Education and creating awareness to them of Elgon Kenya’s new prod-
door campaigns, farmers' field days and exhibitions.With
Extension and went on to ucts. He also visited stockists in the region to introduce
her team, she also visited key stockists and distributors
be a marketing trainer working in West Pokot and Uasin and train them on the products and connect them to
to push the products from their shelves and place new
Gishu Counties where I trained farmers and stockists and various distributors in Kisumu. Gideon further did mar-
orders. Bernice is now employed by Elgon Kenya where
marketed Elgon Kenya’s products. I also worked on creating ket surveys among distributors to check the number of
she works in the sales and marketing department.
awareness for farmers of new products being introduced into products in stock.
the market by the company. Such products include Thabiti
blended fertilizers, fungicides and nutritive foliar fertilizers. I
also facilitated the preparation of demo plots.”
ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY 47
 Preparing Agriculture Students
For the Job Market
Glory Chebet
Glory is a recent Biosystems
Engineering graduate.
During her internship with
Elgon Kenya, she worked
in the fertilizer blending
department where she
also honed her engineer-
ing skills. Her role encom-
passed using and monitor-
ing PLC software from two
flat screens, making blend orders of the type of fertilizer
required, daily maintenance and repair of the machines,
including greasing, adjusting the conveyor belt and drilling
bolts to support shamrock weight, and preparing samples
for farmers’ demos.
Lila Esther Nyokabi
Mwaniki
Esther who recently
completed a Bachelor of
Science in Management
of Agroecosystems and
Environment was an
intern at the Fertilizer
Department as a Quality
Inspector.
“My experience at Elgon Kenya was educative and
exciting. Elgon Kenya set a strong foundation for me in
the process of building a professional career as a soil
scientist. I gained so much knowledge including that
of the raw materials, fertilizer blending, bagging and
transport machine and the final product of the blended
fertilizer. Soil is the main anchor to successful agriculture
and Elgon Kenya contributes greatly to successful
agriculture by blending fertilizers with specific nutrient
requirements for the soil. In addition, I honed my skills in
record keeping and organizational and communication
skills,” she says.
48 ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
Preparing Agriculture Students
For the Job Market
Nathan Kipkirui Awino Haggai
Kevin Otieno Kosgei Liech
Dande
Nathan Kipkirui Kosgei Haggai studied Agricultural
Kevin studied for an was an intern in the animal Education and Extension
Environmental and health department at Elgon and was attached in
Biosystems Engineering Kenya Limited. He pursued Homabay County where
Degree.As an intern, he a Bachelor’s Degree in he worked alongside
worked as an assistant veterinary medicine at the the marketing team in
machine operator and University of Nairobi. His main enhancing the market
with the help of his duties during the internship system for Elgon Kenya’s
supervisor got to work included sales and marketing products in the county. He took part in training farmers
on various fields in the of veterinary pharmaceutical and introducing them to the company’s products.
department. Among products to various agrovets within the Nairobi region. He was To those interested he collected the products from
the duties he was also involved in training and educating agrovet personnel on distributors and stockists and delivered them to their
assigned was the collection of data (production) across various products. The training involved walking them through farms. Haggai also went around the counties and
the department and analyzing the data to determine the various components of their products, the functions of introduced the products to stockists. He also took part
day-to-day production. He also managed the office by each component, the rationale and the expected outcome as a in the counter promotion of products and trained some
responding to queries from workers on the ground result of using the products. The main reason for this training of the counter staff in agrovets. With the help of lead
and calls in the absence of the supervisor. Kevin also was to ensure that farmers are advised accordingly on why farmers, he likewise organized farmer’s training together
supervised the working team in the absence of the they should use the products with the aim of maximizing with his supervisors and the regional teams.
supervisor and his assistant. production and output. This is in line with the company’s
mission of transforming farms and lives through technology.
Isaac Mariga
Mulwa Nyoro
Johnstone Talia
Malvine Akula Isaac graduated last year and
was pursuing Agricultural
Johnstone studied BSC Education and Extension. He
Agriculture majoring Malvine graduated with a underwent the internship
in crop protection. Bachelor of Science Degree programme with Elgon
His main activities in Agriculture (Crop Science Kenya Limited as a marketer
as an intern at Elgon major). He is currently of agricultural inputs and
Kenya involved visiting employed at Elgon Kenya Ltd fertilizer in the marketing
farmers on their farms in the sales and marketing department.
department. As an intern
and offering extension
during the programme, he In the course of the internship, he was involved in
services. He also visited
worked in the marketing department where with the creating a chain between customers and Elgon Kenya.
agrovets, making follow-ups on the flow of products.
team, he took part in promoting the company’s products This he did by maintaining sufficient stocks of goods for
Johnstone, who currently is employed in the sales and
to distributors, stockists and farmers. supply to agrovets and advertising the products to invite
marketing department at Elgon Kenya, also did over-
enhanced sales. His day-to-day activities involved training
the-counter sales at the main distributors and offered “During the time that I was on internship, I interacted
farmers during field days where together with the team,
extension services to farmers during his internship with different kinds of our distributors and stockists and
he educated them about new products ranging from
days at the agro-inputs company. got skills on the product demand on season and off-
animal products and crop products such as fertilizer,
season. I also interacted with different types of farmers, and foliar at different crop stages, knapsack sprayers,
identifying the challenges that they face in the farms and fungicides, and insecticides.
coming up with possible solutions,” he says.
ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY 49
 Preparing Agriculture Students
For the Job Market
John Brian
Mithamo
John studied for a
Bsc. in Agribusiness
Management and was
attached to the sales and
marketing department in
Kiambu County during
his internship at Elgon
Kenya. However, he is
now fully employed by
Elgon Kenya Ltd in its
sales and marketing department.
Back then during the internship programme, his duties
involved marketing products such as pesticides, Thabiti
super fertilizers, and farm equipment like knapsack
sprayers and seeds to both farmers and agrovets.
“At Elgon Kenya gained vital skills such as communication,
operations research, sales and marketing and hard work.
I also learnt how new products are introduced into
the market. I believe that if this internship program is
continued, it will help students to learn about the job
markets,” he indicates.
Florence Adoyo
Tuju
A graduate of BSC. Agriculture,
Animal Science Major and
attached in the Animal Health
Department at Elgon Kenya,
Florence was based in Kisii town
during the internship where she
took part in selling animal health
products over the counter. She is now among those who got
employed by Elgon Kenya Ltd and works in the sales and
marketing department in the company.
“During the training at Elgon Kenya, I got the opportunity to
interact with farmers on a one-on-one basis and we discussed
diseases affecting their livestock, and the treatments that they
have been using to treat these diseases. I always gave solutions
to their challenges by selling them the most appropriate drugs
from Elgon Kenya Limited and advising them on how to use
these medications carefully and effectively,” she says.
50 ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
Atlanta
Kipyego
Atlanta says: “I was a
marketing trainer for Elgon
Kenya Ltd. working in
Uasin Gishu County where
I trained farmers and
stockists, did marketing
sales of the company’s
products workability and
also created awareness to every farmer on new products
being introduced into the market by the company. These
products included Thabiti blended fertilizers.”
“My experiences include a variety of training and marketing
opportunities. In college where I was a trainer I managed
to transform agriculture programmes in the college and
students through training. And this helped me in my work
at Elgon Kenya, my interactions with farmers directly, and
in putting the training to practical and real-life use out in
the field. As a social media specialist, I want to continue
sharing my research insights and improving my ability
to transform consumer data into actionable, engaging
content,” Atlanta says.
Atlanta notes that the partnership programme between
Elgon Kenya and the University of Nairobi indeed helped
the trainees by exposing them to the real world of work
opportunities. They met key stakeholders from different
institutions, who are prospective employers. It also got
the trainees to learn more and transform what they studied
in college into practice and hence improve their skills and
experience in the agriculture field.
Beverlyne
Okumu
Beverlyne studied Bachelor
of Science in Agriculture
majoring in Crop Protection
at the University of Nairobi.
During the internship
programme, she was
attached in the sales and
marketing department at
Elgon Kenya. She got involved in reaching out to farmers
through farmer visits, marketing products and offering
extension services. She was also involved in holding
farmer and stockist training to educate them on the
different products, and also conduct visits to various
agrovets while making follow-ups on product flow.
Sustainable packaging solutions
I TRANSFORMING LIVES
n the last few years, there has been a push to
tackle the twin problems of global warming
and environmental pollution. Environmentalists,
climate change experts, and advocacy groups have
raised concern over the earth’s heating and the
waste choking its oceans and finding its way into
the food chain. Consumers are also demanding
products with reduced carbon footprints, that
are compostable or easily recyclable in existing
recycling facilities, all to save the earth.
According to the United Nations (UN), to
mitigate climate change and achieve the 1.5
Celsius goal, emissions must fall by half by 2030
and reach zero net carbon emission no later than
2050. The window period within which people
need to act to avert a global catastrophe is,
therefore, fast closing.
To achieve net zero emissions there is a need to
protect, preserve and expand the existing forests
while reducing greenhouse emissions at the same
time. Forests are not only carbon sinks but also
serve as the lungs of the planet, absorbing carbon
dioxide and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere.
To be sure, a lot of waste building up in landfills
and oceans is plastic packaging material but
biodegradable substitutes lack. In many instances,
it is the desired functional properties that make
plastics so desirable and easy to use. Again many
of the biodegradable substitutes are derived from
trees and their production leads to deforestation
with a concomitant climate impact. This makes
recycling the most viable solution for achieving
sustainability as well as reducing the waste that
ends up in oceans, incinerators, and landfills.
As a package-manufacturing company, plastic
forms a huge part of Elgon Kenya’s portfolio. But
together with other stakeholders, the company
aims to achieve circularity in packaging. The
ultimate goal is to create a situation in which
waste does not exist. This entails diverting post-
consumer plastics from the waste stream to the
recycling facilities,then to packaging manufacturers,
and back to the consumer. When these materials
are circulated, they give waste a new lease of life,
and in turn, people reap the benefits of a cleaner
planet and a safer environment
To play this role, Elgon Kenya has ensured that all
its plastic products portfolio is in line with existing
recycling guidelines, which means that they are
100 percent recyclable. The company does not
manufacture plastic material that is not recyclable.
The company has gone a notch higher to become
the first local company to introduce biaxially
oriented polypropylene (BOPP), a material that
has a percentage of recycled content. BOPP is the
most commonly used plastic in the manufacture
of flower sleeves.
52 ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
For a start, Elgon Kenya has introduced 30
percent recycled content BOPP, which is in line
with existing legislation expected to come into
effect in a few years in Europe. Several local farms
are already using flower sleeves made from this
particular material with many more showing a
keen interest. It is worth noting that this material
is not, in any way, inferior to virgin material and
retains all the qualities of the virgin material. Elgon
Kenya expects to push the recycled content to
a higher percentage without compromising the
functional integrity of the flower sleeves.
With legislations also coming up demanding
extended producer responsibilities and an
expanding client base that wants to make more
sustainably conscious purchase decisions, Elgon
Kenya has also introduced the low-density
polyethylene (LDPE) flower sleeves. LDPE is
much more easily recyclable than BOPP largely
because more investments have been done to
establish collection centers and recycling plants
for this material.
At the moment, the agro-inputs company is only
doing plain LDPE flower sleeves but intends to
install a modern printing machine capable of
printing on LDPE material later in the year. The
company expects to start the production of
printed LDPE sleeves before the turn of the year.
Reducing plastic waste is a growing movement
and the industry is increasing the amount of
recycled content in packaging. It is precisely for
this reason that Elgon Kenya introduced these
materials with a percentage of recycled content
and going forward the company expects to have
more of its clients moving towards this direction.
This option affords the company’s clients a role
to play in mitigating the plastic waste menace by
giving a new life to post-consumer plastic waste
which would otherwise end up polluting the
environment.
There are two methods of recycling plastics:
mechanical and chemical. While mechanical
recycling maintains the polymer structure of
the plastic, chemical recycling breaks it down
into more basic building blocks. The beauty of
chemically recycled plastic waste is its virgin-like
HUMANITY IS IN OUR CORE
quality. What this means is that they have the
same food contact status as plastics of virgin
origin and so there should be no apprehension Elgon Kenya cares about YOU and OUR ENVIRONMENT through:
in using recycled plastic, especially for hygiene-
sensitive products.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT;
As previously indicated, Elgon Kenya’s packaging
materials are 100 percent recyclable and that
includes polythene bags, pails, buckets, crates, - Agriculture Technology Innovation Centre
flower sleeves, and self-adhesive labels. One of
the biggest challenges faced by recycling facilities - University Of Nairobi Agriculture Graduates
is how to go around the issue of separating the Internship Programme
primary packaging material from the secondary
ones which in most cases are labels. To recycle
both the labels and the primary packaging, the - Special Needs Homes & Institutions Support
two have to be separated since they go through
different recycling processes. This is why the - National Farmers Awards
material used to make Elgon Kenya’s self-adhesive
labels are carefully chosen to allow them to easily - School Feeding Programme
slip off the primary packing by use of a suitable
solvent. This eases the recycling processes of the - 4-k Clubs
primary packaging material.
Where the nature of the labels is different from
that of the primary packaging, it is important
that this label easily slips off, so that each can be
FRIENDLY PRODUCTS;
recycled separately. The adhesive used in Elgon
Kenya’s tags is, accordingly, environmentally - Biodegradable Sleeves
friendly and allows for easy separation of labels
and primary packaging under the right conditions.
The material for the company’s paper-based - Biofriendly Fertilizers
labels is also sourced from suppliers who are
FSC certified. FSC stands for Forest stewardship - Biofriendly Chemicals
council and certification under this standard
confirms that the forest is being managed in a - Irrigation Water Recycling System
manner that preserves biological diversity. For
the plastic labels, Elgon Kenya is moving towards
thinner labels that use less plastic which is by itself
another step towards sustainability.
In summary, Elgon Kenya is all about sustainability
and playing its role in saving the planet and
bequeathing it to the next generation in the same
way this current generation was handed by the
previous ones.
Elgon cares.
George Omuok
Head of labels and sleeves department

Feeding the Nation
Feeding the nation is a noble calling
that should warm every Kenyan’s heart
Gathenya Njaramba
B
y The heartrending story of
parents accompanying their
children to school for a free plate
of food at a village in the vast Kajiado
County should prick the conscience
of every Kenyan. After five consecutive
failure of rainfall, the parents lost their
livestock to drought and there is hardly
any food at home.
Food production should always be every
Kenyan’s concern, especially those in
positions of authority. When a country
is able to feed itself, all other challenges
can be dealt with. Indeed, countries like
Singapore and India were able to grow
their economies exponentially after
solving food production.
After feeding their populations, the
developed countries could now venture
into finance, information technology,
aviation and other lucrative sectors.
Even at the household level, if a family
has enough food, the children and other
members begin thinking big and are able
to innovate big things.
54 ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
Now, farming has often been touted
as the mainstay of Kenya’s economy.
Farmers offer the primary incentive for
Kenya’s economic take-off. Should our
farmers succeed and reap sustainably
from their sweat, Kenya will experience
unprecedented growth in all sectors.
At various phases since independence
in 1963, the promise of a food secure
country has always been at the centre
of all key presidential contenders. It was
therefore no surprise that President
William Ruto and his main challenger
Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga
in the August 9, 2022 General Election,
pitched tent at Kenyan farmers’ ‘hearts’.
They promised to turn around the
dwindling fortunes of Kenyan farmers
and make their toil worthwhile. As it
were, President Ruto triumphed and he
is at the helm now. Kenyan farmers are
looking up to him and his administration.
Being a famer himself, President Ruto has
a first-hand experience of what Kenyan
farmers need to prosper and feed the
nation adequately. His passion and
knowledge in farming is demonstrated
through his private farms and during his
tenure as Agriculture minister in former
President Mwai Kibaki’s government.
Today, Kenyan farmers are listening
keenly to Agriculture Cabinet Secretary
Mithika Linturi and watching his every
action and policy direction. Industry
players wish Mr Linturi well in the
docket and are already supporting
him to deliver for Kenyan farmers. All
of them are rooting for the grassroots
farmer and their interests are both
long-term and short term.
They also want to increase farm
production and expand the market for
Kenyan agricultural produce. With an
expanded market, value addition and
Magazine Ad Arima_Hortfresh_21st Mar PRESS.pdf 1 21/03/2017 15:49
an improved infrastructure in terms of
road networks and railway transport,
Kenyan farmers will easily profit from
their venture. To be food secure, all
hands must be on the deck as we roll
up our sleeves and step up production.
As the Agriculture Media Society of
Kenya, which I coincidentally chair for
the second year now, we will be with the
farmers, private sector players and the
government to check on the progress.
As journalists covering the agriculture
and environment beat, we will highlight
the hits and misses in the sector even as C
we inform Kenyans on the latest trends M
and technological advancements. Y
We will seek out the experts on
CM
crop farming, animal husbandry, value MY
addition, food processing and climate CY
watch then package information that
CMY
is useful to the farmer, industry players
K
and the policy makers.
There are numerous aspects of farming
that our members in newspaper, radio,
television and digital platforms follow
while telling their stories. Our main
objective is to ensure the farmer reaps
maximum income from their venture
even as Kenya feeds itself and the
surplus gets a lucrative market abroad.
With a huge pool of experts and
partners like Elgon Kenya Limited,
Green Africa Group, KENAFF, the
University of Nairobi, the 4-K Clubs and
many other players, the society will put
farming on forefront and a topic ever
Kenyan will be interested in. That will
be our contribution to Kenya’s journey
towards food security and prosperity.
We promise to make every story count.
-The writer is chairman of the
Agriculture Media Society of Kenya and
an editor at The Standard newspaper
 Farm Input
Thabiti Granulated Lime promises
more benefits for farmers
Premal R. Bhatt
B.Sc M.Sc M.Phil
Technical and Sales Manager Irrigation
K
enya is an agricultural country that
significantly relies on good conditions
of its soils and their fertility for its
food production. Poor soils, essentially
mean poor yields for farmers.
The country’s soils condition is
unfortunately deteriorating, and this poses
a significant threat to the country’s food
and nutrition security, and the livelihoods of
millions of farmers, especially smallholders.
In 2014, the then Kenyan President Uhuru
Kenyatta launched the national soil report
on fertility to inform a policy that would
correct this deterioration and save the
country’s soils.
The failing fertility in the country’s soils was
then mainly blamed on the continuous use
of acidic fertilizers. Other than misuse of
fertilizer, soil acidity can also be caused by
factors such as natural weathering, and acid
rain.
One of the major consequences of this poor
use of acidic fertilizers is soil acidity, which is
now a significant problem in Kenya’s farming
and agriculture ecosystem. The challenge is
more pronounced in the highlands regions
and parts of the Rift Valley.
It diminishes soil productivity, causing
deteriorated yields because such soils have
a low pH, which makes it difficult for crops
to grow and thrive in them.
56 ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
Acidic soils have less than 7.0 pH values
and cover about 13 percent (7.5 million
hectares) of agricultural land in Kenya. The
areas covered by acidic soils contribute
significantly to the Kenyan economy
through cash crop and dairy production,
according to a study conducted by the
Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research
Organization (KALRO)
Soil testing, which is an important
prerequisite in any crop farming activity, is
used to determine the conditions of the
soil; whether it is acidic or alkaline. This is
why crop nutrition experts always advice
farmers to test and know the condition of
their soils before growing any crops on a
patch of land.
Lime, however, is the common remedy for
the challenge of soil acidity and can be used
to increase the pH of the soil, making it
more suitable for crop cultivation.
In its basic form, lime is a natural mineral
that is commonly used in agriculture to
neutralize acidic soils. The most commonly
used types of lime in Kenya are calcitic lime
and dolomitic lime.
Calcitic lime is made from crushed
limestone and contains calcium carbonate,
while dolomitic lime is made from crushed
dolomite and contains both calcium and
magnesium carbonates.
Based on soil test results, a recommendation
can be made on the amount of lime to apply
and the best time to apply it.
There are different ways through which lime
can be applied to the soil. One common
method is to broadcast the lime over the
soil surface and then till it into the soil. This
ensures that the lime is distributed evenly
throughout the soil. Another method is to
apply the lime in bands or rows, particularly
for crops that are planted in rows. This
method ensures that the lime is applied
where it is most needed, and it reduces the
amount of lime required.
When lime is applied to the soil, it reacts
with the acidity and neutralizes it. This
reaction produces calcium ions, which
combine with the carbonate ions in the
lime to form calcium carbonate, which is a
neutral compound, and its presence in the
soil increases the pH, making it less acidic.
While there have been different brands of
lime available for addressing the challenge of
soil acidity in Kenya’s soils, the results have
often been varied due to the application
strategies by farmers, as well as the
composition and structure of this input.
CALCISUPER
Agriculture inputs company, Elgon Kenya
Ltd recently unveiled a brand of granulated
lime, which comes with a host of benefits
for the farmer using it.
Granulated Lime
The Thabiti Granulated Lime corrects
soil pH to the most productive level,
provides essential calcium to enhance
crop productivity, maximizes utilization of
key fertilizers, can be applied easily with
standard fertilizers spreaders, and manually,
and its granular structure enables precise
variable rate application.
This granulated lime also strengthens
the plant’s physical structure, presents
no opportunity for drift, as compared to
dust lime which may cause health issues,
and improves the uptake of Nitrogen,
Phosphorus and Pottasium. However, other
micronutrients availability increases as pH
decreases.
This lime also stimulates biological activity
in soils as well as more vigorous root
systems. It improves legumes symbiotic
nitrogen fixation, reduces the possibility
of manganese and aluminium toxicity,
improves physical condition of the soil
such as better structure, workability,
and better drought tolerance, as well as
enhancing the palatability of forages, and
providing an inexpensive source of calcium
Reduces Soil Acidity
and magnesium when these nutrients are
deficient at lower pH.
The benefits for farmers are therefore
numerous!
Enriched with Micro Elements
In addition to applying lime, it is also
For High Yields
important to practice good soil management
practices to maintain soil health and fertility.
This includes proper crop rotation, the
use of cover crops, and the application of
organic fertilizers. These practices help to
maintain the soil pH, prevent soil erosion,
and improve soil structure.
TRANSFORMING FARMS & L IVES THROUGH TECHNOLOG Y
 Livestock Health
How to stop the silent enemy that
every livestock farmer fears
Dr. John Muchibi,
Animal Health Manager
T
he Livestock sector in Kenya
is a key social economic driver
contributing significantly to our
national economy. Livestock
contributes 42% to the Agricultural
Gross Domestic Product and about
12% to the National Domestic Product.
Among the key sub-sectors is the Dairy
and Beef production.
Livestock rearing plays a key role in
supporting the livelihoods of rural
farmers in Kenya. Milk and meat are
the most economically important
livestock products and contribute a
significant part of the household food
requirements and household incomes.
With climate change acting as a catalyst
in the strain in agricultural productivity,
the importance of livestock farming
has increased manifold. Animal diseases
devastate some of our Country’s
poorest communities and damage the
health of vulnerable populations. Safe,
sufficient and nutritious food supply
depends on healthy, productive animals.
Cattle farmers continue to grapple with
a myriad of challenges ranging from
emerging diseases, frequent drought,
58 ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
lack of extension service providers,
high cost of feeds, poor productivity,
apparent resistance to drugs of pests &
other parasites of economic importance,
counterfeit products, and in some
instances, cheap imported livestock
produce. All these at a time of economic
hardship.
Keeping Cattle healthy, comfortable and
well-fed is one of the main challenges
a farmer faces. Animal diseases pose a
risk not just to the animals which may
die but also loss of production hence
family incomes. Public health is also at
risk since some diseases are transferable
from animals to Man. For happy, healthy
and comfortable animals, farmers
must be upto date with their herd
health programs including vaccinations,
spraying/dipping and deworming.
Many Kenyan farmers understand the
threat their cattle face from the visible
external parasites, particularly ticks.
Many are aware of the need for weekly
spraying or dipping using a powerful
acaricidal agent. Many farmers are
already aware of the potent acaricide
from Elgon Kenya Ltd, that which was
a mouthful to pronounce initially but
which is now a household name and
quite well pronounced, VECTOCLOR
PLUS. Vectoclor Plus takes away threats
to Cattle, sheep and goats posed by all
ticks, fleas, mites and even flies.Vectoclor
plus kills even parasites resistant to
other products in the market. Vectoclor
comes in farmer friendly pack sizes at
friendly prices.
But then there is the other bigger threat
that cattle faces, the threat posed by the
invisible internal parasites commonly
called worms. There are different types
of worms, the roundworms, lungworms,
tapeworms and Liver Flukes. They
inhabit organs such as the lungs, the
intestines, the liver, the rumen, others in
the eyes, skin etc. The worms lay in wait
PARTNERS
Unity of Purpose
as the animal feeds, digests the feeds and
then they steal the nutrients just before
these are assimilated into the animal’s
body. They steal what they have not
labored for. Lack of the nutrients causes
the cattle to look unthrifty, have rough
hair coat, emaciated and with loss of
production(milk/meat).Young calves may
die from scouring/diarhoea. At slaughter,
CHEMICAL WORKS
organs such as the lungs and liver may
get condemned causing a farmer further
loss of income. The good news is that
a farmer does not need to feed the
worms again. At Elgon Kenya, we now
have brand new remedies to eliminate
worms and do so completely. We
have not one, but three antihelmintics
that kill Roundworms, Lungworms,
Liver flukes and tapeworms. These
include Albenol-100, Interzan Oral and
Interzan Gold, products from the Dutch
Company, Interchemie. The products
come in farmer friendly pack sizes with
friendly prices. The time to deworm is
now, when pastures are lush and plenty.
Stop the silent thief, stop the loss of
milk/meat, stop the loss of income, use
the drenches from Elgon Kenya that are
now in the agrovet near you. Repeat the
treatments every 3 or so months.
ELGON KENYA | TRANSFORMING FARMS AND LIVES THROUGH TECHNOLOGY 59
 Provine-Orizon_corporate advert.pdf 3 07/03/2023 12:24

CM

MY

CY

CMY