What to Farm in Elgeyo-Marakwet County: Crops, Livestock and Profit
Elgeyo-Marakwet ranks 3rd for Irish potatoes and 5th for finger millet among Kenya's counties. Below is everything the latest national figures record there.
Where Elgeyo-Marakwet Leads Kenya
Rank 1 means the biggest producer or herd among counties that report the product.
Irish potatoes
259,252 tonnes
3rd of 28 counties
25,143 ha · 10.3 t per ha · 11.2% of Kenya
Finger millet
2,996 tonnes
5th of 27 counties
2,506 ha · 1.2 t per ha · 7.6% of Kenya
Dairy cattle
280,385 animals
8th of 47 counties
5.1% of Kenya
Maize
150,221 tonnes
8th of 47 counties
43,133 ha · 3.5 t per ha · 3.9% of Kenya
Source: KNBS National Agriculture Production Report 2023 to 2024. Shares compare Elgeyo-Marakwet with all of Kenya. Counties report figures to the national team and some years swing sharply.
Crops Grown in Elgeyo-Marakwet: 2023 Figures
Area, output and yield for every crop the national report records in Elgeyo-Marakwet.
| Crop | Area (ha) | Output | Yield (t per ha) | National rank | Share of Kenya |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tea | 1,000 | 2,062 t made tea | 2.1 | 15th of 15 | 0.4% |
| Coffee | Not given | 95 t clean coffee | Not given | 17th of 32 | 0.2% |
| Cotton | Not given | 16 bales of lint | Not given | 17th of 21 | 0.2% |
| Irish potatoes | 25,143 | 259,252 t | 10.3 | 3rd of 28 | 11.2% |
| Finger millet | 2,506 | 2,996 t | 1.2 | 5th of 27 | 7.6% |
| Maize | 43,133 | 150,221 t | 3.5 | 8th of 47 | 3.9% |
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 Elgeyo-Marakwet
Numbers kept in Elgeyo-Marakwet in 2023, ranked against other counties.
| Animal or bird | Number kept | National rank | Share of Kenya |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wool sheep | 220,875 | 3rd of 20 | 17.4% |
| Dairy cattle | 280,385 | 8th of 47 | 5.1% |
| Hair sheep | 222,819 | 21st of 47 | 1.0% |
| Meat goats | 374,383 | 24th of 47 | 1.1% |
| Beef cattle | 124,729 | 31st of 47 | 0.8% |
| Dairy goats | 2,485 | 34th of 47 | 0.4% |
| Beehives | 53,627 | 7th of 47 | 3.2% |
| Camels | 557 | 20th of 26 | <0.1% |
| Donkeys | 3,886 | 32nd of 46 | 0.2% |
| Rabbits | 2,562 | 37th of 46 | 0.3% |
| Pigs | 635 | 38th of 43 | <0.1% |
| Ducks | 5,467 | 25th of 45 | 1.0% |
| Pigeons | 56 | 25th of 28 | <0.1% |
| Guinea fowl | 578 | 27th of 38 | 0.7% |
| Indigenous chicken | 675,814 | 28th of 47 | 1.2% |
| Geese | 1,646 | 28th of 43 | 0.8% |
| Turkeys | 828 | 29th of 44 | 0.4% |
| Layers | 20,209 | 37th of 47 | 0.3% |
| Broilers | 4,054 | 40th of 47 | <0.1% |
When to Plant in Elgeyo-Marakwet
Elgeyo-Marakwet is in a one-season area. One main season. Plant in March to April and harvest in November to December.
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 Elgeyo-Marakwet
Output of the leading products since 2019. Bars compare years, and the dark bar is the latest.
Irish potatoes
Down 35% since 2019
tonnes
Finger millet
Down 9% since 2019
tonnes
Maize
Up 44% since 2019
tonnes
Coffee
Up 62% since 18/19
tonnes of clean coffee
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 Elgeyo-Marakwet
A short read on each of the five strongest products, with the numbers behind it.
Irish potatoes
In 2023 Elgeyo-Marakwet produced 259,252 tonnes of Irish potatoes. That ranks 3rd of 28 counties and gives 11.2% of Kenya's output. Farmers used 25,143 ha, a yield of 10.3 t per ha. That is about 7% above the national average of 9.7. Output fell 35% between 2019 and 2023. Plant in March to April. Markets to check include Iten, Kapsowar, Tambach. Compare prices on KAMIS before you sell.
Other leading counties: Nakuru, Nyandarua, Elgeyo Marakwet.
Finger millet
In 2023 Elgeyo-Marakwet produced 2,996 tonnes of finger millet. That ranks 5th of 27 counties and gives 7.6% of Kenya's output. Farmers used 2,506 ha, a yield of 1.2 t per ha. That is about 46% above the national average of 0.8. Output fell 9% between 2019 and 2023. Plant in March to April. Markets to check include Iten, Kapsowar, Tambach. Compare prices on KAMIS before you sell.
Beehives
Elgeyo-Marakwet recorded about 53,627 beehives in 2023. That ranks 7th of 47 counties and gives 3.2% of Kenya's total. Check farm gate prices on KAMIS and ask your sub-county agricultural office about buyers.
Other leading counties: Kitui, Baringo, Tharaka Nithi.
Dairy cattle
Elgeyo-Marakwet recorded about 280,385 dairy cattle in 2023. That ranks 8th of 47 counties and gives 5.1% of Kenya's total. Milk outlets include New KCC (Iten). Most accept milk only from registered members or suppliers.
Maize
In 2023 Elgeyo-Marakwet produced 150,221 tonnes of maize. That ranks 8th of 47 counties and gives 3.9% of Kenya's output. Farmers used 43,133 ha, a reported yield of 3.5 t per ha. The national average is 1.6, so treat the gap with care. Output rose 44% between 2019 and 2023. Plant in March to April. Markets to check include Iten, Kapsowar, Tambach. Compare prices on KAMIS before you sell.
Other leading counties: Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Narok.
Tea
In 2023 Elgeyo-Marakwet produced 2,062 tonnes of made tea. That ranks 15th of 15 counties and gives 0.4% of Kenya's output. Farmers used 1,000 ha, a yield of 2.1 t per ha. That is about 18% below the national average of 2.5. Plant seedlings at the start of the rains. Check farm gate prices on KAMIS and ask your sub-county agricultural office about buyers.
Where to Sell in Elgeyo-Marakwet
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 Elgeyo-Marakwet
- 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 10 cooperative societies running 10 factories in Elgeyo-Marakwet.
Access: most cherry moves through a cooperative society. Millers provide milling and are not automatic cherry buyers.
Dairy
Dairy outlets listed for Elgeyo-Marakwet:
- New KCC (Iten)
Access: many outlets take milk only from registered members or suppliers. Ask about membership and price before you deliver.
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 |
|---|---|
| Iten | maize, wheat, potatoes, beans, vegetables |
| Kapsowar | maize, beans, potatoes, cabbages, carrots |
| Tambach | maize, wheat, beans, potatoes, vegetables |
Know a buyer or a market in Elgeyo-Marakwet that should be listed? Tell us on WhatsApp. Please send the business name, product, location and how farmers can sell to it.
Priority Value Chains in Elgeyo-Marakwet
The national strategy backs these products in Elgeyo-Marakwet. Open a guide to see how each one is farmed.
Rain and Soil in Elgeyo-Marakwet County
Elgeyo-Marakwet is in the Western zone of the national strategy. These notes describe the whole zone, not one farm.
- Crops the zone favours
- Maize, French beans, sugar, groundnuts, sweet potato and Irish potatoes.
- Livestock and fish
- Dairy, poultry and fish.
- Rain and soil
- Two medium rainy seasons. Red soils of medium to high fertility.
- Farming households
- About 1.6 million farming households
- Typical rainfall
- 1,200 to 1,800 mm
- Typical farm size
- 0.5 to 5 acres
- Typical household income
- about KES 15,000 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 Elgeyo-Marakwet’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 Elgeyo-Marakwet
What crops grow best in Elgeyo-Marakwet County?
Elgeyo-Marakwet ranks 3rd for Irish potatoes and 5th for finger millet. The biggest crop areas are maize (43,133 ha), Irish potatoes (25,143 ha), finger millet (2,506 ha).
Which livestock is common in Elgeyo-Marakwet County?
Elgeyo-Marakwet ranks 3rd for wool sheep, 7th for beehives, 8th for dairy cattle. The table above lists every animal and bird recorded.
Which fruits, vegetables and fish suit Elgeyo-Marakwet County?
The national report has no county figures for these. See the strategy list for Elgeyo-Marakwet above, then check local buyers and water.
What agro-ecological zone is Elgeyo-Marakwet County in?
The national strategy places Elgeyo-Marakwet in the Western zone. Our AEZ guide explains how zones, rain and soil shape what you can grow.
How do I work out profit in Elgeyo-Marakwet 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 Elgeyo-Marakwet
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Plan, Fund and Scale Your Farm in Elgeyo-Marakwet
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 Elgeyo-Marakwet: 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 Elgeyo-Marakwet 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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