• Government launches Coast Region Economic Revival Strategy to triple agricultural production in Lamu, Tana River, Kwale, Kilifi and Taita Taveta, targeting cashew nuts, coconut, cotton and livestock.

 

State Targets Five Coast Counties to Triple Agricultural Production, Unlock Billions in Farming OpportunitiesThe Government has unveiled an ambitious plan to unlock the largely underutilised agricultural potential of Kenya’s Coast region.

The plan targets Lamu, Tana River, Kwale, Kilifi and Taita Taveta to significantly increase production of key crops and livestock products and position the region as a major agricultural and trade hub.

Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe said the five counties have enormous untapped potential and could triple or even quadruple production of commodities including cashew nuts, coconut, cassava, cotton, milk and meat.

Speaking at the ASK Mombasa International Show, Kagwe said this will require increased investment, technology, irrigation and stronger coordination between the national and county governments.

The Government is implementing a Coast Region Economic Revival Strategy designed to transform the region’s agricultural economy through a “From Farm to Port” approach.

Under the strategy, Kwale, Kilifi, Taita Taveta and Tana River will focus on primary agricultural production and local value addition.

Mombasa and Lamu will provide critical supply chain and logistics infrastructure connecting producers to markets across Kenya, East Africa and the global market.

Kagwe said unlocking the Coast’s agricultural potential will require closer collaboration between the national and county governments, the private sector, development partners, farmers and community organisations.

He noted that agriculture is a devolved function and county governments must therefore be central to the transformation.

The Government is particularly targeting the region’s high-value agricultural value chains, with renewed efforts to expand production, strengthen processing and increase returns to farmers.

The coconut subsector, for instance, supports more than 100,000 farming households along the Coast.

More than 100,000 tonnes of coconut nuts valued at approximately KSh10.8 billion were processed in 2025.

Kagwe said the Government is facilitating the modernisation and industrialisation of the coconut value chain to move beyond raw production towards higher-value products such as virgin coconut oil, coconut water, coconut flour, coconut cream and coconut milk.

This will create greater opportunities for farmers, processors and investors.

The Government is similarly stepping up efforts to revive the cashew nut subsector through the distribution of subsidised seedlings, expansion of acreage, increased productivity, value addition and improved farmer incomes across the growing counties.

Cotton is also emerging as a key component of the Coast’s agricultural revival, with the area under production increasing from 8,000 hectares in 2022 to 18,000 hectares in 2026.

Over the same period, cotton production has risen from 6,779 bales of 105 kilogrammes to 15,000 bales.

The Government is supporting the subsector through Bt cotton, adequate seed supplies and enhanced coordination across the value chain.

Kagwe said the region’s transformation will also depend heavily on technology and innovation.

The Kenya Agricultural and Digital Information Centre has been positioned as a one-stop centre for agricultural digitalisation and innovation.

Partnerships involving the public and private sectors are expected to accelerate the adoption of agricultural mechanisation, drone technology, animal identification and traceability, artificial intelligence and other digital solutions.

These innovations are aimed at improving productivity and strengthening agricultural value chains.

The push to unlock the Coast’s agricultural potential comes as Tanzania encourages greater investment and cross-border cooperation in agriculture.

Tanzania’s Deputy Minister for Agriculture, David Silinde, said Kenya and Tanzania share longstanding economic and social ties and should deepen agricultural trade and investment within the East African Community.

https://farmerstrend.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/State-Targets-Five-Coast-Counties-to-Triple-Agricultural-Production-Unlock-Billions-in-Farming-Opportunities-1024x682.jpghttps://farmerstrend.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/State-Targets-Five-Coast-Counties-to-Triple-Agricultural-Production-Unlock-Billions-in-Farming-Opportunities-150x150.jpgFarmersTrendFarming Newsagribusiness Kenya.,agricultural revival Kenya,agricultural technology Kenya,ASK Mombasa show,cashew nut farming Kenya,Coast Region agricultural production,Coast Region Economic Revival Strategy,coconut value chain Kenya,cotton farming Kenya,From Farm to Port approach,irrigation farming Kenya,Kenyan agriculture news,livestock farming Coast Kenya,Mutahi Kagwe agriculture,smallholder farmers KenyaGovernment launches Coast Region Economic Revival Strategy to triple agricultural production in Lamu, Tana River, Kwale, Kilifi and Taita Taveta, targeting cashew nuts, coconut, cotton and livestock.  The Government has unveiled an ambitious plan to unlock the largely underutilised agricultural potential of Kenya's Coast region. The plan targets Lamu, Tana...New Generation Culture in Agriculture