Murang’a County Sets Pace in Africa with Landmark Agro-Ecology Policy

Key Highlights

• Murang’a County is the first in Africa to enact an agro-ecology policy and Act, adopted in 2023.
• The laws have positioned the county as a leader in sustainable agriculture, attracting international partners.
• Eight investment priorities have been identified, including bio-inputs, farmer training, market integration, and digital platforms.
• Murang’a University of Technology is offering agro-ecology courses up to Master’s level, supported by demonstration farms.
• Farmers adopting conservation practices have doubled yields while reducing costs linked to synthetic inputs.
• The avocado sector alone earned the county Sh4.6 billion in 2024, about one-third of Kenya’s national output.
• Global organizations such as the Global Alliance for the Future of Food, Bio Vision, and IKEA Foundation are exploring partnerships with the county.

Murang’a County has emerged as Africa’s pioneer in sustainable farming after becoming the first on the continent to adopt an agro-ecology policy and Act.

The two laws, passed in 2023, have created a strong legal foundation that is now drawing international attention and investment into the region’s agricultural systems.

Global organizations are engaging the county on possible areas of collaboration, ranging from farmer training to market integration, following the bold policy move.

According to County Executive Committee Member for Devolution, Kiringai Kamau, Murang’a’s success has proven that agro-ecology is not just a local experiment but a globally viable model for sustainable food production.

“By enacting supportive policies and walking the talk with farmers, Murang’a has proved that agro-ecology can drive both food security and environmental restoration. That’s why global players are coming here—they see a county ready to lead,” Kamau said.

He added that discussions are ongoing to have agro-ecology recognized within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The county has outlined eight priority investment areas: affordable bio-inputs, training for youth and extension workers, market integration through cold-chain aggregation centers, digital platforms for trade, research and development, and cooperative strengthening.

These will guide partnerships with global alliances, including the Global Alliance for the Future of Food, Bio Vision, and the IKEA Foundation.

Education and research are also central to Murang’a’s transformation. Murang’a University of Technology has introduced agro-ecology courses up to Master’s level, while demonstration farms are providing farmers with hands-on training.

Civil society partners say the approach is already bearing fruit. Elijah Kamau of the Institute of Culture and Ecology reported that smallholder farmers adopting conservation practices have doubled harvests while cutting costs by reducing reliance on synthetic farm inputs.

“Our experience shows that when farmers embrace agro-ecology, yields increase significantly while production costs drop,” he said.

Governor Irungu Kang’ata noted that the county is complementing sustainable agriculture with food security interventions such as distributing improved maize seeds.

He added that major crops like avocados and mangoes stand to gain premium prices under environmentally friendly practices.

Murang’a’s avocado sector alone generated Sh4.6 billion in 2024, representing nearly a third of Kenya’s total output. Officials believe agro-ecology will help secure high-value export markets, guaranteeing better incomes for farmers.

“Murang’a is not only feeding its people but also charting the way for others in Africa. With global support, we can now scale up our successes and show that sustainable farming is the future,” Kang’ata said.

By weaving supportive policies, partnerships, education, and farmer adoption, Murang’a County has placed itself at the forefront of Africa’s agricultural transformation, demonstrating that agro-ecology can deliver food security, higher productivity, and improved livelihoods.