What to Farm in Garissa County: Crops, Livestock and Profit
Garissa is known for camels, goats and beef cattle, and irrigated farms on the Tana. It ranks 3rd for beef cattle and 4th for camels among Kenya's counties. Below is everything the latest national figures record there.
Where Garissa Leads Kenya
Rank 1 means the biggest producer or herd among counties that report the product.
Beef cattle
1.2 million animals
3rd of 47 counties
7.1% of Kenya
Camels
491,280 animals
4th of 26 counties
11.5% of Kenya
Meat goats
1.9 million animals
5th of 47 counties
5.6% of Kenya
Source: KNBS National Agriculture Production Report 2023 to 2024. Shares compare Garissa with all of Kenya. Counties report figures to the national team and some years swing sharply.
Where to Farm in Garissa, Area by Area
Soil, rain and altitude change inside a county. Here is what farmers grow and keep in each part of Garissa.
- Garissa Township and Balambala
- Tomatoes, mangoes, watermelons, pawpaw and bananas on irrigated riverbank farms.
- Fafi and Ijara rangelands
- Boran and Zebu beef cattle, goats, sheep and camels move with the seasons.
- Lagdera and Dadaab
- Camels, goats and sheep. Some households irrigate small vegetable plots.
- Along the Tana
- Irrigated fodder and fruit plots where pumps can lift river water.
Farming Notes for Garissa
- Camels and goats cope with long dry spells better than cattle do.
- Beef cattle graze the open range, and herd size should match the pasture.
- Tana River water supports tomatoes, mangoes and watermelons on irrigated plots.
- Pumping costs and water access decide whether those crops pay.
Area notes come from county and national farming reports and local farming knowledge. Ask your sub-county agricultural officer before you plant.
Crops Grown in Garissa: 2023 Figures
Area, output and yield for every crop the national report records in Garissa.
| Crop | Area (ha) | Output | Yield (t per ha) | National rank | Share of Kenya |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green grams (ndengu) | 77 | 34 t | 0.4 | 28th of 33 | <0.1% |
| Cowpeas | 48 | 25 t | 0.5 | 31st of 37 | <0.1% |
| Sorghum | 130 | 111 t | 0.9 | 34th of 41 | <0.1% |
| Maize | 142 | 132 t | 0.9 | 46th of 47 | <0.1% |
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 Garissa
Numbers kept in Garissa in 2023, ranked against other counties.
| Animal or bird | Number kept | National rank | Share of Kenya |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beef cattle | 1.2 million | 3rd of 47 | 7.1% |
| Hair sheep | 1 million | 4th of 47 | 4.7% |
| Meat goats | 1.9 million | 5th of 47 | 5.6% |
| Dairy goats | 267 | 44th of 47 | <0.1% |
| Donkeys | 134,422 | 3rd of 46 | 7.8% |
| Camels | 491,280 | 4th of 26 | 11.5% |
| Rabbits | 141 | 43rd of 46 | <0.1% |
| Beehives | 2,823 | 44th of 47 | 0.2% |
| Broilers | 204,000 | 9th of 47 | 3.7% |
| Layers | 129,456 | 11th of 47 | 2.0% |
| Quails | 127 | 16th of 19 | 0.4% |
| Pigeons | 87 | 24th of 28 | <0.1% |
| Indigenous chicken | 261,150 | 39th of 47 | 0.5% |
| Turkeys | 24 | 43rd of 44 | <0.1% |
| Ducks | 47 | 44th of 45 | <0.1% |
| Dairy cattle | 399,105 | Not ranked | Not shown |
Garissa’s 2023 county return lists 399,105 dairy cattle. That is out of line with the 2019 census, which counted only 6,063 exotic dairy cattle in the county (Eastleigh Voice), and with the 2024 figures, where Garissa is not among the top 10 dairy counties (Business Radar, citing KNBS). Most cattle here are indigenous beef breeds, so we do not rank it.
When to Plant in Garissa
Garissa is in a two-season area. Two seasons. Long rains: plant March to April, harvest July to August. Short rains: plant September to October, harvest December to January.
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. Altitude changes the pattern inside a county, so ask your sub-county agricultural officer.
Five-Year Trends in Garissa
Output of the leading products since 2019. Bars compare years, and the dark bar is the latest.
Sorghum
Up 226% since 2019
tonnes
Green grams (ndengu)
Down 44% since 2019
tonnes
Cowpeas
Down 59% since 2019
tonnes
Maize
Up 21% 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 Garissa
A short read on each of the five strongest products, with the numbers behind it.
Donkeys
Garissa recorded about 134,422 donkeys in 2023. That ranks 3rd of 46 counties and gives 7.8% of Kenya's total. Check farm gate prices on KAMIS and ask your sub-county agricultural office about buyers.
Beef cattle
Garissa recorded about 1.2 million beef cattle in 2023. That ranks 3rd of 47 counties and gives 7.1% of Kenya's total. Sell through livestock markets and traders. Ask the county livestock office for market days.
Camels
Garissa recorded about 491,280 camels in 2023. That ranks 4th of 26 counties and gives 11.5% of Kenya's total. Sell through livestock markets and traders. Ask the county livestock office for market days.
Hair sheep
Garissa recorded about 1 million hair sheep in 2023. That ranks 4th of 47 counties and gives 4.7% of Kenya's total. Sell through livestock markets and traders. Ask the county livestock office for market days.
Meat goats
Garissa recorded about 1.9 million meat goats in 2023. That ranks 5th of 47 counties and gives 5.6% of Kenya's total. Sell through livestock markets and traders. Ask the county livestock office for market days.
Where to Sell in Garissa
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 Garissa
- 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.
Livestock
Livestock markets listed: Garissa Town (livestock trading); Balambala (livestock trading); Ijara (livestock trading).
Ask the county livestock or veterinary office for market names and days. Never move animals without the right permits.
Produce markets
| Market | Commonly traded |
|---|---|
| Balambala | livestock, maize, beans, watermelons, vegetables |
| Dadaab | maize, beans, sorghum, vegetables, fruits |
| Garissa Town | livestock, watermelons, mangoes, maize, beans |
| Ijara | livestock, maize, beans, sorghum, vegetables |
Know a buyer or a market in Garissa 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 Garissa
The national strategy backs these products in Garissa. Open a guide to see how each one is farmed.
Rain and Soil in Garissa County
Garissa is in the Central ASALs zone of the national strategy. These notes describe the whole zone, not one farm.
- Crops the zone favours
- Mostly pastoralism, with some maize on raised plateaus.
- Livestock and fish
- Beef cattle, goats and sheep.
- Rain and soil
- One season of rain at best. Salty, low-fertility soils.
- Farming households
- About 0.3 million farming households
- Typical rainfall
- 400 to 800 mm
- Typical farm size
- Group ranches
- Typical household income
- under KES 10,000 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 Garissa’s Top Products
Pick a product. See revenue, costs and break-even for your acreage in seconds.
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 Garissa
What crops grow best in Garissa County?
Garissa ranks 3rd for donkeys and 3rd for beef cattle. The biggest crop areas are maize (142 ha), sorghum (130 ha), green grams (77 ha).
Which livestock is common in Garissa County?
Garissa ranks 3rd for donkeys, 3rd for beef cattle, 4th for camels. The table above lists every animal and bird recorded.
Which fruits, vegetables and fish suit Garissa County?
The national report has no county figures for these. See the strategy list for Garissa above, then check local buyers and water.
What agro-ecological zone is Garissa County in?
The national strategy places Garissa in the Central ASALs zone. Our AEZ guide explains how zones, rain and soil shape what you can grow.
How do I work out profit in Garissa County?
Open the farm profit calculator, choose your product, then enter your acres, yield and local price.
What is grown in Garissa?
Garissa grows maize, sorghum, green grams and cowpeas, among other crops. It is best known for camels, goats and beef cattle, and irrigated farms on the Tana.
What is Garissa famous for?
Garissa is known for camels, goats and beef cattle, and irrigated farms on the Tana.
Which farming makes the most money in Garissa?
It depends on your acres, price and costs. Garissa ranks high for donkeys and beef cattle. Test those first in the farm profit calculator.
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. Dairy cattle ranks leave out Garissa, whose 2023 return looks too high.
Ask About Farming in Garissa
Tell us what you want to grow or keep. An Agcenture adviser replies on WhatsApp.
This opens WhatsApp with your answers filled in. Nothing is sent until you press send.
Plan, Fund and Scale Your Farm in Garissa
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 Garissa: 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 Garissa 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.
Need Help Choosing in Garissa?
Tell an Agcenture adviser your land size and budget. We help you pick a product, find buyers and plan the money.