Agriculture
High sugar prices to persist due to low supply in the global market
By Ben Kinyanjui
High sugar prices could last a little bit longer due to sugar shortages in the global market, Agriculture minister Sally Kosgey has said.
The minister said major sugar producing countries including Brazil had converted sugar cane from producing sugar to biofuel hence denying the world market the much required sugar supplies.
Farmers in western Kenya to benefit from a new soil carbon plan
By Ben Kinyanjui
A new methodology to encourage smallholder farmers in Kenya – and potentially worldwide -- to adopt improved farming techniques, boost productivity, increase their resilience to climate change, and earn carbon credits, has been given international approval. 
Farmers from western Kenya to benefit from new initiative
The Verified Carbon Standard approved this first methodology on soil carbon, a new approach for sustainable agricultural land management (SALM) practices.
Kenya ban use of dimethoate in fruits and vegetables as exports to Europe remain high despite financial crisis
By Today Financial News Reporter
Horticultural exporters are optimistic that the industry will survive the unfolding eurozone crisis that threatens to dampen exports into the European Union (EU) countries.
Kenya cannot afford to lose EU market
The Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK) says that exports for vegetables, fruits and flowers remained robust in the last quarter of last year despite crisis.
Tea earnings rose to Sh109 billion but production declined by five percent
By Ben Kinyanjui
Tea earnings rose to Sh109 billion last year from Sh97 billion in 2010, due to high prices in the international market and a weaker shilling against the dollar. Production however declined due to unfavourable weather
Tea Board of Kenya CEO Sicily Kariuki spearheading efforts to get more export markets
Kenya also secured new markets in China, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Russia, and North America as well as licensing of new factories in the tea growing areas.
Ministry of Agriculture set high targets as it become ISO certified
By Ben Kinyanjui
It is often associated with frequent famines that cause untold sufferings to the millions of people. It is often criticised for all manner of ills affecting the sector including high cost of farm inputs, poor seeds and extension services. 
President Mwai Kibaki (centre) display ISO certification given to ministry of Agriculture
The ministry is also home to numerous poor performing state-owned enterprises that suffer bad press due to the many scandals that keep on surfacing. It is also home to the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, (KARI) that is one of the best known research institutions in Africa.
New Kenya Tea Development Agency chairman faces daunting task to move the industry to the next level
By Ben Kinyanjui
For the last 40 years, Patrick Kinyua has seen his living standards improve courtesy of his 5,000 tea buses he tenders and delivers to Mununga tea factory in Kirinyaga County.
Newly appointed KTDA board chairman Mr Peter Kanyago faces a big task ahead
Though the earnings have not met his expectations all the time, Kinyua is glad that he has never missed his monthly payment for as long as he can remember. Through the meager earnings, the farmer has been able to put all of his seven children through secondary education.