By Kilimokwanza.org Team 

I. Executive Summary:

Agriculture forms the backbone of Nyandarua County’s economy, significantly contributing to household incomes and employing a majority of the population. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of commercial farming in the region, highlighting the dominance of potato and dairy production alongside a growing horticultural sector. While the county benefits from fertile soils and favorable climatic conditions for agriculture, several challenges impede its full potential. These include infrastructural deficiencies, the impacts of climate change, the prevalence of pests and diseases, limited access to quality inputs and credit, and market access issues. To address these constraints, a range of support systems and interventions are in place, involving both governmental and non-governmental organizations. The report examines the market access and distribution channels for key agricultural products, noting the importance of both formal and informal systems. Through case studies of successful farming enterprises, the report illustrates the opportunities that exist within Nyandarua’s agricultural sector. Finally, it concludes with actionable recommendations aimed at enhancing the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of commercial agriculture in the county.

II. Introduction:

Nyandarua County, situated in the central highlands of Kenya, is renowned for its high agricultural productivity, a consequence of its fertile volcanic soil and reliable rainfall.¹ This region plays a crucial role in Kenya’s broader agricultural landscape, contributing significantly to the nation’s food supply and economic growth.² Commercial farming, characterized by its market-oriented approach, is a vital driver of economic advancement, food security, and improved livelihoods within Nyandarua.³ Unlike subsistence farming, where production is primarily for household consumption, commercial agriculture in Nyandarua focuses on generating income through the sale of agricultural products.⁶ The agricultural sector’s contribution to Kenya’s national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employment underscores the importance of understanding and supporting regions like Nyandarua.⁴ The transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture is recognized as a promising strategy to tackle food insecurity and malnutrition globally; however, the specific mechanisms and outcomes of this shift necessitate careful examination within the unique context of Nyandarua County.⁶ This report aims to analyze the current state of commercial farming in Nyandarua, identify the key challenges and opportunities within the sector, and provide evidence-based recommendations to stakeholders involved in agricultural development in the region. The subsequent sections will delve into the landscape of commercial farming in Nyandarua, the dominant types of agricultural activities, the scale and economic impact of this sector, the challenges faced by farmers, the existing support systems, market dynamics, and notable success stories, culminating in a set of recommendations for future interventions.

III. The Landscape of Commercial Farming in Nyandarua:

Agriculture constitutes a cornerstone of Nyandarua County’s economic activity, encompassing a range of practices in both crop production and livestock keeping.³ This sector is not only a significant source of food and raw materials but also a primary means of income for a large portion of the county’s population. Approximately 69% of Nyandarua’s residents are employed in agriculture, and the sector contributes about 73% to household incomes.³ The monetary value of these agricultural activities is substantial, with crop production valued at KES 17 billion and livestock at KES 7 billion in 2012.³ Nyandarua’s performance in agriculture positions it as one of the leading contributors to the national agricultural output.¹⁰ While a considerable segment of farming in Nyandarua may be categorized as small-scale, there is a discernible and growing trend towards commercialization, particularly in key areas such as potato and dairy farming.⁶ It is also observed that even farmers primarily engaged in subsistence farming often participate in commercial activities to augment their household income.¹⁴ However, research indicates a moderate level of potato commercialization in the county, with a commercialization score of 0.4.⁶ This suggests that while potato farming is a major undertaking, a significant portion of the produce might still be intended for home consumption or facing obstacles in reaching the market. The high percentage of the population engaged in agriculture, coupled with reported low agricultural productivity ³, points towards a potential for enhanced efficiency and output through increased commercialization and the adoption of modern farming techniques. A commercialization score that indicates less than half of the produced potatoes are marketed highlights the need to understand the factors that prevent full commercialization, which could include production constraints, market access barriers, or farmers’ strategic choices regarding subsistence versus market sales.

IV. Dominant Types of Commercial Farming:

Commercial farming in Nyandarua County is characterized by a mix of crop and livestock production, with certain commodities playing a more prominent role due to their economic value and market demand.

A. Crop Production:

Potatoes stand out as the leading crop in Nyandarua, with over 37,000 hectares dedicated to their cultivation annually.¹⁵ This extensive cultivation supports approximately 70,000 smallholder farmers and generates an annual production value exceeding KES 8 billion.¹⁵ The county recognizes potato production as a strategic sector with significant potential for driving economic growth and ensuring food security.¹⁶ Despite its importance, potato farming faces challenges such as the absence of well-structured markets and the limited use of high-quality seed potatoes.¹⁵ The scale of potato farming, both in terms of land area and the number of farmers involved, underscores its central role in the county’s commercial agriculture. However, the identified issues with market structure and seed quality represent significant impediments to maximizing the commercial benefits from this crop. Addressing these challenges could substantially improve the profitability for farmers and boost the overall agricultural economy of the region.

Beyond potatoes, Nyandarua also cultivates other high-value food crops, including cabbages, peas, and carrots.¹ Notably, snow peas and French beans are major export commodities, often grown under contractual arrangements with companies that export to EU markets.¹ The success of horticultural ventures involving these export crops demonstrates the potential for Nyandarua to participate in international agricultural markets.¹ Agribusiness organizations and traders play a crucial role in connecting Nyandarua’s farmers with markets across the country, particularly in major urban centers like Nairobi, Nakuru, Thika, and Mombasa.¹ The presence of export-oriented horticulture indicates a level of market integration and sophistication that extends beyond local consumption. The reliance on contracts for export crops suggests a more formalized market channel, which could potentially serve as a blueprint for other agricultural sectors in the county.

While potatoes and horticultural crops are key commercial products, other crops like maize are also cultivated in Nyandarua by both subsistence and commercial farmers.⁷ Maize is essential for food security and serves as a vital component in animal feeds.⁷ As farmers in Nyandarua gain more experience, they tend to diversify their crop offerings beyond just maize and beans.⁷ Although maize is primarily considered a staple crop, its cultivation by commercial farmers suggests that there is a market for it, possibly for use in the livestock feed industry or for sale to other regions. This indicates an interconnectedness between different agricultural sub-sectors within Nyandarua’s commercial farming landscape.

B. Livestock Production:

Dairy farming is a significant commercial activity in Nyandarua County, making a substantial contribution to household incomes and the local economy.³ The county is recognized as a leading milk producer in Central Kenya, primarily due to its large population of dairy cows.¹³ Smallholder farmers dominate the dairy sector, owning approximately 98% of the total dairy herd.¹³ Dairy production in Nyandarua employs various systems, including intensive production (zero grazing), semi-intensive production, and open grazing.²¹ Crossbreeds, mainly of Holstein-Friesian and Ayrshire, are commonly raised for milk production and sale.²⁰ The robust presence of smallholder dairy farming, with a high proportion of milk being marketed ¹³, signifies a well-established commercial livestock sector in the county. The variety in production systems reflects different levels of investment and technological adoption among dairy farmers.

Apart from dairy, local poultry is another important agricultural commodity in Nyandarua.³ There is also a growing interest in poultry and pomegranate farming as climate-resilient alternatives that can enhance nutrition and improve livelihoods in the region.²² While sheep and goats are also present on farms in Nyandarua, their commercial significance appears to be less prominent compared to dairy and poultry.¹ The promotion of climate-smart options like poultry and pomegranates indicates an adaptive approach to the challenges posed by climate change, aiming to diversify the commercial farming activities in Nyandarua.

V. Scale and Economic Impact of Commercial Agriculture:

The scale of commercial farming in Nyandarua County is diverse, encompassing both smaller holdings and larger agricultural enterprises.²³ While the average farm size in Kenya for key food crops is around 1.5 acres ²⁴, some commercial farmers in Nyandarua operate on farms under 4 acres.⁷ In the horticultural sector, farm sizes can range from 1.2 hectares for small-scale farmers to 24 hectares for larger operations.³ This variation in farm sizes underscores the heterogeneous nature of commercial agriculture in the county, with both smallholders and larger entities contributing to the sector. Understanding the differences in productivity and profitability across these varying scales is essential for formulating targeted support and policies.

Agriculture’s contribution to Nyandarua County’s economy is substantial. The sector accounts for an average of 65.11% of the county’s Gross Value Added (GVA).²⁵ In 2017, this contribution was even higher, reaching 85% of the Gross County Product (GCP).²⁶ Furthermore, Nyandarua is a significant contributor to the national agricultural GDP, consistently ranking among the top-performing counties in this regard.¹⁰ This consistently high contribution highlights the pivotal role of agriculture as the primary engine of economic activity and a major source of livelihoods within the county. Monitoring the trends in this contribution over time is crucial for understanding the factors that influence the agricultural sector’s performance and its broader impact on Nyandarua’s economy.

Beyond its contribution to the GCP, agriculture in Nyandarua provides employment for a large segment of the population, with approximately 69% of residents engaged in the sector.³ It also serves as the main source of income for a majority of households, accounting for about 73% of their earnings.³ Specific commercial activities, such as potato farming, which generates over KES 8 billion annually ¹⁵, and dairy farming, which supports a significant number of smallholders ¹³, exemplify the income-generating potential of agriculture in the county. This heavy reliance on agriculture for both employment and income underscores the direct link between the performance of the commercial farming sector and the overall well-being of a significant portion of Nyandarua’s population. Therefore, addressing the challenges faced by this sector and promoting its growth is not only an economic imperative but also a social one. Policies and interventions aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and improving market access are likely to have a direct and positive impact on the livelihoods and overall quality of life for the majority of Nyandarua’s residents.

VI. Key Challenges Hindering Commercial Farming Growth:

Despite its agricultural richness, commercial farming in Nyandarua County faces several key challenges that impede its full growth potential.

Infrastructural deficiencies, particularly a poor road network, pose a significant obstacle to the efficient transportation of agricultural produce, especially perishable goods like potatoes, milk, and flowers.³ This often leads to considerable post-harvest losses or forces farmers to sell their produce at low prices.³ During rainy seasons, many roads become impassable, preventing businesspersons from reaching farms to purchase produce, thereby severely limiting farmers’ access to markets.¹⁴ The lack of adequate storage facilities at both the county and farm levels further exacerbates the problem of post-harvest losses.³ This inadequate infrastructure acts as a major bottleneck, hindering farmers from effectively reaching markets and minimizing the value they can derive from their agricultural activities. Investing in the improvement of road networks and the establishment of sufficient storage facilities should be a priority to facilitate the growth of commercial agriculture in Nyandarua.

Climate change impacts and weather variability also present substantial challenges to commercial farming in the county. Nyandarua is susceptible to climate-related risks such as prolonged dry spells and intense rains, which negatively affect agricultural productivity.³ The reliance on rain-fed agriculture makes the region particularly vulnerable to extreme droughts, which are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change.²⁸ Instances of flooding have also been reported, leading to the destruction of crops and vital road networks, thereby impacting farmers’ livelihoods.³ Moreover, unpredictable weather events often result in increased costs for farmers due to livestock and crop diseases and frostbite.³ Climate change poses a significant threat to the long-term sustainability and growth of commercial farming in Nyandarua. Providing farmers with support to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices and enhance their resilience to weather variability is crucial. This includes promoting drought-resistant crops and livestock breeds, investing in water harvesting and efficient irrigation technologies, and ensuring farmers have access to timely climate information and early warning systems.

The prevalence of pests and diseases is another significant factor limiting agricultural productivity in Nyandarua.³ Pests hinder the proper growth of various crops, including potatoes, and diseases such as potato late blight and bacterial wilt are major concerns for farmers.¹⁴ The common practice of using farm-saved seeds often contributes to this problem, as these seeds can be of poor quality and may carry tuber-borne diseases.¹⁷ Pests and diseases can significantly reduce crop and livestock yields, thereby impacting the profitability of commercial farming. Strengthening agricultural extension services to provide farmers with comprehensive training on integrated pest and disease management strategies and supporting their access to high-quality, disease-free seeds are essential steps to address this challenge.

Limited access to quality inputs, such as certified seeds and fertilizers, is a key constraint, particularly in potato farming.¹⁵ Only a small fraction of the potato seeds planted in Nyandarua are certified, with many farmers opting to recycle seeds from previous harvests, which often leads to lower yields.¹⁶ Smallholder farmers also face difficulties in accessing the necessary financial resources to invest in improved agricultural inputs.³⁰ The lack of access to quality inputs, especially certified seeds, severely restricts the potential for higher yields and greater profitability in commercial farming within Nyandarua. Developing a robust system for the production and distribution of high-quality seeds, potentially through collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors, and improving farmers’ access to credit for purchasing these inputs are critical interventions.

Financial constraints and limited access to credit represent a significant hurdle for many commercial farmers in Nyandarua.³ Socio-economic factors such as the lack of collateral and insufficient awareness of available credit facilities often hinder farmers’ ability to secure loans.³¹ Smallholder farmers, in particular, with their often low farm incomes, face challenges in meeting the requirements for accessing credit.³¹ These financial limitations restrict farmers’ capacity to invest in essential inputs, adopt new technologies, and expand their farming operations, thus impeding the growth of commercial agriculture. Improving access to affordable and appropriate credit facilities is crucial for enabling agricultural development in Nyandarua. This could involve exploring various financing models, including microfinance, agricultural credit guarantee schemes, and facilitating stronger linkages between farmers and financial institutions.

Market access issues and price fluctuations also pose considerable challenges for commercial farmers in Nyandarua. There is a noted lack of structured markets for crops like potatoes ¹⁵, and producers often receive low prices when selling their produce through local brokers.¹⁸ The prices of crops such as cabbage can be highly volatile, depending on the season and the quality of the produce.³² Agribusiness producers in general often face challenges related to market access, transportation, and post-harvest pricing.³³ These factors create uncertainty for commercial farmers, impacting their income and their decisions regarding investments in their farms. Establishing stable and efficient market linkages is therefore essential. This could involve supporting the formation and strengthening of farmer cooperatives, improving the availability and accessibility of market information, and exploring opportunities for value addition to agricultural products.

Finally, post-harvest losses and inadequate post-harvest management practices contribute to the challenges faced by commercial farmers in Nyandarua.¹⁶ The lack of suitable and sufficient storage facilities is a major factor contributing to these losses.³⁵ However, successful interventions, such as the Potato Value Chain Capacity Building (PCB) Project, have demonstrated that post-harvest losses can be significantly reduced through targeted efforts.³⁶ Substantial post-harvest losses diminish the overall returns from commercial farming. Investing in better post-harvest handling techniques and improving storage infrastructure can enable farmers to retain more of the value of their produce. This includes providing training on proper harvesting and handling methods, promoting the adoption of appropriate storage technologies, and supporting the development of local processing facilities.

VII. Support Systems and Interventions for Commercial Farmers:

Commercial farmers in Nyandarua County benefit from a range of support systems and interventions provided by both governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as through agricultural research and extension services.

The national government has emphasized agricultural commercialization through policies such as the Agricultural Policy (2021) and the Agricultural Marketing Strategy (2023–2032).⁶ The current administration’s Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) recognizes the strategic importance of potato production.¹⁶ The Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy (ASTGS) also prioritizes key agricultural value chains, including potatoes, with the aim of enhancing smallholder farmer incomes.¹⁶ At the county level, the Nyandarua County government has developed its own potato strategy to coordinate activities within this sub-sector.¹⁵ Additionally, the Nyandarua County Heifer Project provides dairy cows to organized groups of farmers, supporting the growth of the dairy sector.³⁷ To address the issue of access to affordable inputs, the government implements fertilizer subsidy programs at the national level, such as the National Fertilizer Subsidy Program (NFSP) and the National Accelerated Agricultural Input Access Program (NAAIAP).³⁸ These policies and programs demonstrate a commitment to supporting the agricultural sector in Nyandarua and across Kenya, although their effectiveness and reach require ongoing evaluation to ensure they are meeting the needs of commercial farmers.

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and development partners also play a vital role in supporting commercial farming in Nyandarua. MASHAV experts and the World Food Programme have conducted training programs in the county focusing on crucial aspects like drought resilience, soil fertility, irrigation efficiency, and post-harvest management.⁴² The IKI Small Grants project addresses climate-resilient water management and promotes climate-smart agricultural practices in both Laikipia and Nyandarua counties.²⁸ CARE-USA is actively promoting poultry and pomegranate farming in Nyandarua North as climate-resilient options to improve nutrition and livelihoods.²² A significant intervention has been the Potato Value Chain Capacity Building (PCB) Project, which has worked extensively in Nyandarua to enhance potato productivity, strengthen the potato seed sector, and improve market linkages for potato farmers.³⁶ These initiatives by NGOs and development partners complement governmental efforts by providing targeted support and technical expertise to commercial farmers, often focusing on specific challenges such as climate change and value chain development.

Agricultural research and extension services are also available to farmers in Nyandarua. The county hosts Agricultural Training Centres (ATCs) in Njabini and Ol’Joro Orok, as well as the Animal Husbandry Industry Training Institute (AHITI) in Gatimu.²³ The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) has a presence in Ol’Joro Orok, conducting research and offering advisory services to farmers.²³ Despite the existence of these institutions, access to agricultural technologies remains low among the county’s population.³ This suggests a potential gap in the dissemination of knowledge and the promotion of improved practices through extension services. Strengthening these services could significantly contribute to the adoption of modern farming techniques by commercial farmers in Nyandarua.

Financial support and access to credit continue to be critical needs for commercial farmers in Nyandarua. While financial institutions are present, farmers often face challenges in accessing credit due to various factors.³ Recommendations have been made for financial institutions to ease their credit requirements and reduce interest rates to make credit more affordable for farmers.³¹ Community-driven initiatives such as village loaning and saving groups also play a role in enhancing the financial resilience of livelihoods within the county.²⁸ Improving farmers’ access to appropriate and affordable financial services remains a key priority for supporting the growth and development of commercial farming in Nyandarua. This may involve exploring innovative financing solutions and developing credit products that are specifically tailored to the needs and capabilities of agricultural producers.

VIII. Market Access and Distribution Channels:

The market access and distribution channels for agricultural products from Nyandarua County vary depending on the type of commodity. For major commercial crops such as potatoes and horticultural products, a network of agribusiness organizations and individual traders facilitates their movement from farms to consumers across Kenya.¹ Potatoes and kale, for instance, are shipped to major urban centers like Nairobi and Mombasa.¹⁸ Local youth often act as intermediaries, connecting producers with brokers in the market.¹⁸ However, this system can result in significant price differences between what the farmer receives at the farm gate and what the consumer pays in the market, often influenced by the involvement of middlemen.³⁵ Efforts are underway, such as those by the Potato Value Chain Capacity Building (PCB) Project, to improve market linkages for potatoes by creating demand for inputs and connecting farmers with both formal and informal markets.³⁶

Milk marketing in Nyandarua County involves three primary channels: traditional, private, and cooperative.⁴⁴ The traditional channel, while widely used by smallholder farmers, generally offers the lowest net returns.⁴⁵ Private processors have become significant players since the liberalization of the dairy sector, often providing better prices and services, resulting in higher net returns for farmers using this channel.⁴⁵ Cooperative societies, such as the Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC), have also played a crucial role in milk processing and marketing, typically offering better returns than the traditional channel and providing services like milk cooling centers.²¹ The trend indicates a gradual shift away from the traditional channel towards more commercialized practices in the dairy sector.⁴⁵

Brokers play a significant role in the distribution of horticultural crops for domestic markets, often trading at relatively low prices.¹⁸ The emergence of private milk processing firms has intensified competition in the dairy market.⁴⁴ Dairy cooperatives have established cooling centers to help maintain the quality of milk supplied by their members.²¹ Understanding the roles and influence of these various actors—brokers, cooperatives, and processing industries—is important for developing strategies to improve market efficiency and returns for farmers.

Access to market information is crucial for farmers to make informed decisions regarding production and marketing.³ Farmers in Nyandarua utilize various channels to obtain market information, including radios, advice from fellow farmers, and interactions with extension agents.⁴⁶ Initiatives like the PCB project have also trained farmers on how to use market information systems such as ViaziSoko.³⁶ Enhancing farmers’ access to timely and accurate market information can empower them to negotiate better prices for their produce and plan their farming activities more effectively.

IX. Case Studies of Successful Commercial Farming Enterprises:

Several examples illustrate the potential for success in commercial farming within Nyandarua County. The Potato Value Chain Capacity Building (PCB) Project has reported significant yield increases for participating potato farmers through the adoption of improved agricultural practices and technologies.³⁶ The Kenya Sustainable Potato Initiative (KSPI) is also focused on strengthening the potato seed system, which is crucial for improving overall productivity in potato farming.¹⁶

In the dairy sector, the case of Mr. and Mrs. Kiragu highlights a successful farming enterprise that includes both dairy and horticulture. Through strategic access to finance and diversification of their activities, they have achieved significant growth, and their farm now serves as a training center for others interested in similar ventures.¹ The relatively high milk production per cow in Nyandarua, as noted in some reports ¹⁴, also suggests the presence of successful dairy farming operations utilizing effective management practices.

The success of Mr. and Mrs. Kiragu in cultivating snow peas and French beans for export demonstrates the profitability of engaging in high-value horticultural crops.¹ The established export market for peas from Nyandarua, often facilitated through contracts with exporting companies ¹⁸, further underscores the potential in this sector. These examples indicate that with the right strategies, access to support, and market linkages, commercial farming enterprises in Nyandarua can achieve significant success. The practices and models employed by these successful farmers can provide valuable lessons for others in the region looking to enhance their own agricultural ventures.

X. Conclusion and Recommendations:

Commercial farming in Nyandarua County is a vital sector, primarily driven by potato and dairy production, with a growing contribution from horticulture. This sector is central to the county’s economy and the livelihoods of a majority of its residents. However, several challenges, including infrastructural limitations, climate change impacts, pests and diseases, restricted access to quality inputs and credit, and market access issues, hinder its full potential. Despite these obstacles, a range of support systems and interventions are in place, involving governmental bodies, non-governmental organizations, and agricultural research and extension services. Market access for agricultural products is facilitated through a combination of formal and informal channels, each with its own dynamics and efficiencies. Case studies of successful farming enterprises within the county demonstrate the opportunities that exist and offer valuable insights for others in the sector.

To enhance the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of commercial agriculture in Nyandarua County, the following recommendations are proposed:

1. Invest in Infrastructure: Prioritize the development and maintenance of road networks to improve access to markets and reduce transportation costs. Establish and support storage facilities at both county and farm levels to minimize post-harvest losses.
2. Promote Climate-Smart Agriculture: Support farmers in adopting practices that enhance resilience to climate change, such as promoting drought-resistant crops and livestock, investing in water harvesting and efficient irrigation technologies, and providing access to climate information and early warning systems.
3. Strengthen Pest and Disease Management: Enhance agricultural extension services to provide farmers with training on integrated pest and disease management strategies and facilitate access to high-quality, disease-free seeds and other necessary inputs.
4. Improve Access to Quality Inputs: Develop a sustainable system for the production and distribution of certified seeds and other quality inputs, potentially through public-private partnerships. Explore mechanisms to make these inputs more affordable and accessible to all farmers.
5. Enhance Financial Inclusion: Expand access to appropriate and affordable financial services for farmers through tailored credit products, microfinance initiatives, and agricultural credit guarantee schemes.
6. Facilitate Market Access and Price Stability: Support the formation and strengthening of farmer cooperatives to enhance their bargaining power and market access. Improve market information systems to provide farmers with timely and accurate data. Promote value addition activities to increase the profitability of agricultural products. Explore and support contract farming arrangements and direct linkages between farmers and processors or consumers.
7. Bolster Agricultural Extension Services: Increase investment in training and equipping agricultural extension officers to effectively disseminate knowledge on modern farming practices, technologies, and market information to farmers across the county.
8. Encourage Diversification: Promote the diversification of commercial farming activities by supporting farmers in exploring high-value crops, climate-resilient options like poultry and pomegranates, and opportunities for value-added processing of their produce.
9. Strengthen the Policy and Regulatory Framework: Review and enhance policies and regulations related to agriculture, including seed certification, market standards, and post-harvest management, to create a more enabling environment for commercial farming.
10. Support Research and Development: Continue to invest in agricultural research and development to identify locally adapted technologies, improved crop varieties and livestock breeds, and sustainable farming practices that can benefit commercial farmers in Nyandarua County.

By implementing these recommendations, stakeholders can work towards unlocking the full potential of commercial farming in Nyandarua County, contributing to increased agricultural productivity, enhanced profitability for farmers, and sustainable economic development for the region.

Key Tables:

1. Table: Contribution of Key Agricultural Commodities to Nyandarua County’s Economy

Commodity	Estimated Annual Production	Estimated Annual Production Value (KES)	Percentage Contribution to County Agricultural GDP	Number of Farmers Involved
Potatoes	>37,000 Hectares	>8 Billion	Significant 3	~70,000
Dairy Milk	High (Leading in Central Kenya)	~6.26 Billion (Livestock Sector Total)	Significant 3	~98% Smallholders
Cabbages	Not Specified	~2.98 Billion (in 2012)	Moderate 3	Not Specified
Snow Peas	Major Export Commodity	Not Specified	Moderate 3	Part of Horticulture
French Beans	Major Export Commodity	Not Specified	Moderate 3	Part of Horticulture

Note: Production and value figures are based on available data from the research material and may not represent the most current statistics. The percentage contribution to GDP is an estimation based on the overall agricultural contribution.

2. Table: Comparison of Milk Marketing Channels in Nyandarua

Marketing Channel	Prevalence among Farmers	Average Price per Liter (Estimate)	Annual Net Returns for Farmers (KES at 0.5 Probability)	Key Characteristics and Services
Traditional	Widely Used	Lower	34,894	Informal, potentially higher transaction costs, concerns about hygiene and quality.
Private	Growing	Higher	58,109	Increased price competition, potentially better breeding and veterinary services, training, daily payments.
Cooperative	Significant	Moderate to Higher	55,275	Services like milk cooling centers, credit facilities, subsidized deworming and artificial insemination, payments may be weekly or fortnightly.

Note: Price per liter is an estimate based on related studies mentioned in the research material. Net returns are based on findings from the study in snippet ⁴⁵ and.⁴⁵

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