What to Farm in Baringo County: Crops, Livestock and Profit
Baringo ranks 2nd for finger millet and 2nd for beehives among Kenya's counties. Below is everything the latest national figures record there.
Where Baringo Leads Kenya
Rank 1 means the biggest producer or herd among counties that report the product.
Finger millet
5,995 tonnes
2nd of 27 counties
6,480 ha · 0.9 t per ha · 15.2% of Kenya
Meat goats
1 million animals
8th of 47 counties
3.0% of Kenya
Macadamia
570 tonnes of nuts
10th of 12 counties
92 ha · 6.2 t per ha · 1.4% of Kenya
Dry beans
22,501 tonnes
16th of 39 counties
23,677 ha · 1.0 t per ha · 2.7% of Kenya
Dairy cattle
147,496 animals
15th of 47 counties
2.7% of Kenya
Source: KNBS National Agriculture Production Report 2023 to 2024. Shares compare Baringo with all of Kenya. Counties report figures to the national team and some years swing sharply.
Crops Grown in Baringo: 2023 Figures
Area, output and yield for every crop the national report records in Baringo.
| Crop | Area (ha) | Output | Yield (t per ha) | National rank | Share of Kenya |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton | Not given | 232 bales of lint | Not given | 6th of 21 | 3.3% |
| Macadamia | 92 | 570 t nuts | 6.2 | 10th of 12 | 1.4% |
| Coffee | Not given | 184 t clean coffee | Not given | 16th of 32 | 0.4% |
| Finger millet | 6,480 | 5,995 t | 0.9 | 2nd of 27 | 15.2% |
| Green grams (ndengu) | 751 | 901 t | 1.2 | 12th of 33 | 0.5% |
| Irish potatoes | 3,565 | 37,205 t | 10.4 | 12th of 28 | 1.6% |
| Cowpeas | 919 | 860 t | 0.9 | 14th of 37 | 0.5% |
| Maize | 42,501 | 94,877 t | 2.2 | 15th of 47 | 2.5% |
| Sorghum | 1,666 | 1,822 t | 1.1 | 15th of 41 | 0.9% |
| Dry beans | 23,677 | 22,501 t | 1.0 | 16th of 39 | 2.7% |
| Pigeon peas | 14 | 15 t | 1.1 | 17th of 19 | <0.1% |
| Sweet potatoes | 152 | 4,004 t | 26.3 | 23rd of 42 | 0.6% |
Yield is output divided by area. Coffee is the 2022 to 2023 crop year. Sugar, tea and cotton show processed output.
Livestock and Poultry Kept in Baringo
Numbers kept in Baringo in 2023, ranked against other counties.
| Animal or bird | Number kept | National rank | Share of Kenya |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meat goats | 1 million | 8th of 47 | 3.0% |
| Wool sheep | 18,439 | 11th of 20 | 1.5% |
| Beef cattle | 383,626 | 12th of 47 | 2.3% |
| Hair sheep | 380,921 | 12th of 47 | 1.7% |
| Dairy cattle | 147,496 | 15th of 47 | 2.7% |
| Dairy goats | 7,743 | 17th of 47 | 1.3% |
| Beehives | 198,900 | 2nd of 47 | 11.9% |
| Camels | 19,263 | 12th of 26 | 0.4% |
| Rabbits | 6,503 | 25th of 46 | 0.8% |
| Donkeys | 4,443 | 30th of 46 | 0.3% |
| Pigs | 350 | 41st of 43 | <0.1% |
| Indigenous chicken | 1.3 million | 14th of 47 | 2.3% |
| Quails | 15 | 19th of 19 | <0.1% |
| Pigeons | 165 | 23rd of 28 | <0.1% |
| Guinea fowl | 568 | 28th of 38 | 0.7% |
| Broilers | 15,906 | 29th of 47 | 0.3% |
| Layers | 31,173 | 34th of 47 | 0.5% |
| Ducks | 1,303 | 36th of 45 | 0.2% |
| Turkeys | 270 | 39th of 44 | 0.1% |
| Geese | 227 | 42nd of 43 | 0.1% |
When to Plant in Baringo
Kenya has long rains from March to May and short rains from late October to December. We have no settled pattern for Baringo, so plan around these two rainy periods.
Blocks show the usual months.
Source: FEWS NET Kenya country book, citing a 2024 Ministry of Agriculture official. Rain onset is erratic, so planting can stretch from March to May. Windows suit crops of 4 to 7 months. Tea, coffee, macadamia and sugarcane go in at the start of the rains. Altitude changes the pattern inside a county, so ask your sub-county agricultural officer.
Five-Year Trends in Baringo
Output of the leading products since 2019. Bars compare years, and the dark bar is the latest.
Finger millet
Up 38% since 2019
tonnes
Dry beans
Up 13% since 2019
tonnes
Maize
Up 34% since 2019
tonnes
Irish potatoes
Down 5% since 2019
tonnes
Source: KNBS National Agriculture Production Report 2023 to 2024. Counties report these figures and they can swing from year to year. Read the direction, not one year.
The Main Products in Baringo
A short read on each of the five strongest products, with the numbers behind it.
Finger millet
In 2023 Baringo produced 5,995 tonnes of finger millet. That ranks 2nd of 27 counties and gives 15.2% of Kenya's output. Farmers used 6,480 ha, a yield of 0.9 t per ha. That is about 13% above the national average of 0.8. Output rose 38% between 2019 and 2023. Plant in March to May and late October to December. Markets to check include Eldama Ravine, Kabarnet, Marigat. Compare prices on KAMIS before you sell.
Beehives
Baringo recorded about 198,900 beehives in 2023. That ranks 2nd of 47 counties and gives 11.9% of Kenya's total. Check farm gate prices on KAMIS and ask your sub-county agricultural office about buyers.
Other leading counties: Kitui, Tharaka Nithi, Laikipia.
Meat goats
Baringo recorded about 1 million meat goats in 2023. That ranks 8th of 47 counties and gives 3.0% of Kenya's total. Sell through livestock markets and traders. Ask the county livestock office for market days.
Macadamia
In 2023 Baringo produced 570 tonnes of macadamia nuts. That ranks 10th of 12 counties and gives 1.4% of Kenya's output. Farmers used 92 ha, a yield of 6.2 t per ha. That is about 22% above the national average of 5.1. Plant seedlings at the start of the rains. Check farm gate prices on KAMIS and ask your sub-county agricultural office about buyers.
Dry beans
In 2023 Baringo produced 22,501 tonnes of dry beans. That ranks 16th of 39 counties and gives 2.7% of Kenya's output. Farmers used 23,677 ha, a yield of 1.0 t per ha. That is about 37% above the national average of 0.7. Output rose 13% between 2019 and 2023. Plant in March to May and late October to December. Markets to check include Eldama Ravine, Kabarnet, Marigat. Compare prices on KAMIS before you sell.
Dairy cattle
Baringo recorded about 147,496 dairy cattle in 2023. That ranks 15th of 47 counties and gives 2.7% of Kenya's total. Check farm gate prices on KAMIS and ask your sub-county agricultural office about buyers.
Where to Sell in Baringo
Buyers, factories and markets to check first. Each one is a lead, not a promise.
Confirm before delivering. Every name here is a lead from a research directory compiled on 8 November 2026. Operators, catchments and rules change. We have not checked each one.
How to find a buyer in Baringo
- Check farm gate and wholesale prices on KAMIS. It covers five markets in every county.
- Ask the county cooperative officer which registered societies buy your product.
- Visit the buyer first. Ask for the grade, price, payment date and who pays transport.
- Start with one small delivery before you commit your harvest.
Coffee
The Coffee Directorate Year Book 2022/23 records 25 cooperative societies running 25 factories in Baringo.
Millers named for the area:
- Baringo Cha Coffee Mill
Access: most cherry moves through a cooperative society. Millers provide milling and are not automatic cherry buyers.
Livestock
Livestock markets listed: Marigat and Kabarnet (local trade; confirm livestock days).
Ask the county livestock or veterinary office for market names and days. Never move animals without the right permits.
Grain and pulses
National buyers and channels:
- National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots
- Unga Group
- Pembe Flour Mills
- Mombasa Maize Millers
- Capwell Industries
- Kitui Flour Mills
Confirm grades, bag sizes and payment terms before you deliver.
Produce markets
| Market | Commonly traded |
|---|---|
| Eldama Ravine | maize, potatoes, beans, vegetables, honey |
| Kabarnet | honey, maize, beans, potatoes, millet |
| Marigat | watermelons, mangoes, maize, beans, vegetables |
| Mogotio | maize, beans, honey, potatoes, vegetables |
Know a buyer or a market in Baringo that should be listed? Tell us on WhatsApp. Please send the business name, product, location and how farmers can sell to it.
Rain and Soil in Baringo County
Baringo is in the Rift Valley zone of the national strategy. These notes describe the whole zone, not one farm. Parts of Baringo are in AEZ Zone V: arid land with 300 to 600 mm of rain.
- Crops the zone favours
- Maize, wheat, sorghum, Irish potatoes and honey.
- Livestock and fish
- Goats, sheep, chicken and dairy cattle.
- Rain and soil
- One season of moderate rain. Mixed shallow and deep soils.
- Farming households
- About 0.4 million farming households
- Typical rainfall
- 600 to 1,200 mm
- Typical farm size
- 2 to 60 acres
- Typical household income
- about KES 30,000 a month
Income, farm size and rainfall are 2019 strategy estimates. Read the AEZ guide to see how zones are set.
Test the Profit of Baringo’s Top Products
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What These Figures Do Not Show
Fruit and vegetables
The report has no county figures for tomatoes, avocados or onions. Check local buyers first.
Fish
Fish output is reported by lake and sea, not by county. See the fish guide.
Your ward
Soil and rain change inside a county. Ask your sub-county agricultural officer.
Your profit
Output is not profit. Run your own costs in the profit calculator.
Questions About Farming in Baringo
What crops grow best in Baringo County?
Baringo ranks 2nd for finger millet and 2nd for beehives. The biggest crop areas are maize (42,501 ha), dry beans (23,677 ha), finger millet (6,480 ha).
Which livestock is common in Baringo County?
Baringo ranks 2nd for beehives, 8th for meat goats, 11th for wool sheep. The table above lists every animal and bird recorded.
Which fruits, vegetables and fish suit Baringo County?
The national report has no county figures for these. See the strategy list for Baringo above, then check local buyers and water.
What agro-ecological zone is Baringo County in?
The national strategy places Baringo in the Rift Valley zone. Our AEZ guide explains how zones, rain and soil shape what you can grow.
How do I work out profit in Baringo County?
Open the farm profit calculator, choose your product, then enter your acres, yield and local price.
Does this cover my sub-county or ward?
No. The national figures stop at county level. Soil and rain change across a county, so ask your sub-county agricultural officer.
Where do the figures come from?
The KNBS National Agriculture Production Report 2023 to 2024 is the source. Figures are for 2023, and coffee uses crop year 2022 to 2023.
Ask About Farming in Baringo
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Plan, Fund and Scale Your Farm in Baringo
Farm business plan
A costed plan for your acreage, market and cash flow. Banks and Saccos ask for one. Ask for a quote.
Finance for your farm
Learn what lenders ask for, which securities they accept and how to apply. We can help you prepare.
County agribusiness brief
For banks, programmes, investors and county teams. A short paid brief on Baringo: products, buyers, risks and gaps.
About This Page
Updated 8 November 2026. Production figures are 2023 data from the national report. Buyer and season notes were compiled on the same date.
How we made this page
County output, area and rank come from the KNBS National Agriculture Production Report 2023 to 2024. Rank compares Baringo with the counties that report the product. Yield is output divided by area. Trend charts use the same report’s five-year tables.
Planting seasons follow the FEWS NET Kenya country book, which cites a 2024 Ministry of Agriculture official. Zone details come from the 2019 national strategy (ASTGS), explained in our AEZ guide.
Buyer names come from four sources. One is third-party research for Agcenture. The others are the Coffee Directorate Year Book, Brookside’s supplier page and the Kenya Dairy Board register. Prices come from KAMIS. We have not verified each buyer. Tell us if something is wrong.
Written and maintained by the Agcenture editorial team. Report a correction on WhatsApp.
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