CIMMYT, in collaboration with the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) and AGRI TERRA, recently organized a Farmers’ Field Day in Kibwezi East, Makueni County. The event brought together over 200 local farmers and agricultural stakeholders to showcase innovations and practical solutions that are transforming dryland agrifood systems in the area.
The field day highlighted CIMMYT’s ongoing efforts to strengthen seed systems and accelerate the adoption of improved varieties. Held at the KALRO demonstration plots, the event focused on improving the production of pigeon pea — a crop known for its drought tolerance, soil-enriching properties, and strong grain demand in local and international markets.
Why Pigeon Pea?
Kibwezi’s farming community continues to face persistent challenges: unreliable rainfall, poor soil fertility, and fluctuating crop yields. In this context, pigeon pea is poised to play a complementary role in improving food, nutrition, and income security for smallholder households. The crop not only survives under tough climatic conditions but also enriches the soil through nitrogen fixation and releases root exudates that unlock fixed phosphorus—making these macronutrients available for companion or subsequent crops in intercropping or crop rotation systems, respectively.
“Pigeon pea is more than just a food crop; it’s a pathway to resilience and economic empowerment for smallholder farmers in arid zones,” said Nicxon Mutinda, seed manager at KALRO Seeds. “Our goal today is to demonstrate best practices — from variety selection to post-harvest handling — so that farmers can maximize total production and minimize losses at harvest and during storage.”
One of the most talked-about highlights during the field day was the Mituki variety, which has quickly gained popularity among local farmers. Mituki — meaning “fast” in the Kamba language — was first released in 2018. However, according to Mutinda, it wasn’t until 2023 — when CIMMYT intensified its promotion efforts under the AVISA project — that Mituki truly began to make waves across the region.
Farmers attending the event expressed strong satisfaction and excitement about the variety’s performance, particularly praising its early maturity and drought tolerance — critical features for farming in the drought-prone Kibwezi area.
“Mituki is a game changer for us,” said one farmer during a discussion session. “It matures faster and withstands the dry spells better than any other pigeon pea variety we’ve planted.”
The demand for Mituki has grown tremendously in recent seasons. According to Nicxon Mutinda, regional adoption of the variety now stands at around 15%, a significant milestone given the traditionally slow uptake of new varieties.
“In the last cropping season of 2024, we produced only 6 metric tons of Mituki seed, but demand completely outstripped supply,” Mutinda explained. “We are now targeting to produce 50 metric tons for the next planting season to meet this growing interest.”
Mutinda also shared a bold projection:
“If this adoption trajectory continues over the next five years, we expect local, traditional pigeon pea varieties to be phased out in favor of Mituki and other improved types. This progress is largely thanks to CIMMYT’s relentless efforts in driving awareness, building demand, and supporting farmers.”
The success of Mituki not only highlights the importance of continuous research and extension work but also proves how strong partnerships — like those between CIMMYT, KALRO, and local collaborators — can accelerate the adoption of innovations that transform smallholder agriculture.
(Photo: Kibwezi East Farmers’ Cooperative) Society
Strengthening Farmer-Led Innovation
Equally noteworthy was the active participation of the Kibwezi East Farmers’ Cooperative Society (KECS), which exemplifies how farmer-led groups can accelerate improved variety adoption. KECS was established in 2017 after transitioning from a community-based organization and now has over 2,500 members, including 1,300 women and 350 youth across four wards in Makueni County. The group’s leaders shared how they have successfully provided continuous training, access to high-quality seeds, and affordable inputs to their members — ensuring that farmers are well-equipped to adapt to challenging climate conditions.
Rosinna Muteti, chairlady of KECS, emphasized the importance of the cooperative’s collective approach during her address to participants:
“Our cooperative is proof that when farmers work together, we can overcome even the toughest challenges. Mituki guarantees our food security and better incomes for our members,” she said.
The KECS team also discussed their focus on value addition and aggregation, helping members meet strict high-quality standards — free of impurities and pesticide residues, and sorted to meet market specifications. This collective marketing strategy allows farmers to access premium prices and improve their livelihoods.
Building Resilience Through Partnership
Farmers had the opportunity to engage directly with specialists, ask questions, and share their own experiences. Many expressed optimism about integrating pigeon pea into their cropping systems, especially with the support of KALRO and AGRI TERRA.
AGRI TERRA, an international organization that supports farmer cooperatives to strengthen their ownership structures and enhance economic performance, has been active in Kibwezi. They have helped farmers access new crop varieties, farm inputs, training facilities, and financial services — turning pigeon pea into more than just a backyard crop. They are helping make it a real driver of resilience and prosperity, especially in dryland regions.
“This is just the beginning,” said Esther Kalanza, the cooperatives advisor from AGRI TERRA. “With the support of CIMMYT, we envision Kibwezi becoming a model region for pigeon pea farming in Kenya, showing that even in the driest parts of the country, agriculture can thrive with the right innovations and partnerships.”
Capacity development 
