From bad to worse: Why Nakuru farmers are abandoning pyrethrum farming

Pyrethrum farming was once seen as a potential economic backbone for Nakuru. However, despite ongoing efforts by County and National government to increase farming and support the sector, farmers continue to struggle with making the crop viable.

Several farmers reveal that they have been forced to abandon pyrethrum cultivation in favor of more reliable crops, such as potatoes.

Susan Wangui Gathuka, a pyrethrum farmer in Eburru Mbaruk, Gilgil sub-county, describes 2024 as her most challenging year since she started growing pyrethrum in 2019 on just half an acre.

"This year has been tough, with prices fluctuating more than ever. We’ve sold our pyrethrum for Sh225, Sh240, and even Sh280, down from Sh300," she says.

Ms Wangui explains that the rising cost of production has made it increasingly difficult for farmers to sustain the crop.

"The workers we hire to pluck the flowers have raised their rates from Sh10 to Sh15 per kilo. When you consider the output and the amount of work involved in maintaining the crops, we’re nowhere near breaking even," she says.

Ms Wangui hopes that by uniting through the farmers’ union, they can collectively push for better prices and challenge processors on pricing.

Since she says some processors have refused to allow farmers, whose contracts were terminated, to sell their produce to other processors, despite initially supporting their entry into the pyrethrum business.

“Being part of a union will give us a stronger voice to prevent processors from exploiting us,” Wangui says.

John Kipkurui Tanui, a pyrethrum farmer from Olengoruone in Kuresoi South, expanded his pyrethrum farming acreage to one and a quarter acres in 2024, up from three-quarters of an acre in 2023, despite the ongoing price fluctuations.

Mr Tanui recalls starting the year with promising prices of around Sh310 per kilo, but by mid-year, the price dropped to Sh240 and has remained stagnant since.

He acknowledges the economic challenges that processors cite for the price drop but emphasizes that the current price is not profitable considering the effort required to grow pyrethrum.

"Some farmers in Kuresoi South have uprooted their crops due to low prices, but I’ve chosen not to. I remain hopeful that things will improve now that we’ve formed a cooperative and a larger union. If we find a processor offering a better price, we’ll be happy as farmers," Tanui says.

Although he and other farmers received seedlings from the county government, many were damaged by heavy rains and delays in distribution.

As a result, only a few farmers benefited, while most had to purchase seedlings from other processors that performed better.

Joseph Ng’aari, Chairman of the Pyrethrum Union, echoes these concerns. He points out that despite increased seedling distribution, prices remain stagnant, and farmers often find themselves bound by unfavorable contract terms.

"Many farmers signed poorly written contracts, especially regarding pricing, which allowed processors to reduce prices and buy crops on their terms. This makes it hard for farmers to benefit from their hard work," Mr Ng’aari explains.

Even when farmers manage to secure a good price, they often face obstacles in selling their crops. Ng’aari suggests that if farmers could find a processor willing to pay higher prices, it would benefit the entire pyrethrum farming community.

“If prices were to rise, pyrethrum farming could become one of the most profitable sectors, possibly even surpassing other agricultural value chains,” he says.

Data from the Department of Agriculture reveals that in the 2022/2023 financial year, over 6.3 million seedlings were distributed to more than 1,100 farmers, covering 286 acres.

This number increased in 2023/2024, with over 13.1 million seedlings distributed to more than 2,300 farmers, covering 596 acres.

While pyrethrum farmers continue to face challenges, they remain hopeful for a future where their investment in the crop will yield consistent and profitable returns.