Gov't targets five Coast Counties to triple food production

Speaking at the ASK Mombasa International Show, Kagwe said the government is implementing a Coast Region Economic Revival Strategy to turn the area into a major agricultural and trade hub. 

The strategy will link agricultural production to markets through a “Farm to Port” approach. He identified coconut, cashew nuts, cassava, cotton, milk and meat among the products that could drive the region’s agricultural growth.

Under the plan, Kwale, Kilifi, Taita Taveta and Tana River will focus on production and local value addition, while Mombasa and Lamu will provide supply chain and logistics infrastructure to connect producers to markets in Kenya, East Africa and beyond.

Kagwe said the transformation will depend on technology and innovation with the Kenya Agricultural and Digital Information Centre (KADIC) positioned as a one-stop centre for agricultural digitalisation and innovation. 

He also called for closer cooperation between the national and county governments, development sectors, private investors, and farmers to accelerate adoption of agricultural mechanisation, drone technology, animal identification and traceability, as well as artificial intelligence, among the technologies being considered.

The push comes amid efforts to address challenges facing coastal agriculture. In March, Kagwe called for greater private-sector participation in agriculture.

The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) Acting Director General Calistus Kundu also said ageing coconut and cashew trees and low investment had contributed to declining production in the region.

The focus will now be on implementing the strategy and expanding production, processing and market access across the Coast.