The Government has unveiled an ambitious plan to unlock the agricultural potential of five Coast counties and triple or quadruple production of key crops and livestock products as part of efforts to transform the region into a major agricultural and trade hub.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the strategy targets Lamu, Tana River, Kwale, Kilifi and Taita Taveta, which have significant untapped potential that could generate billions of shillings in farming opportunities.
Speaking at the ASK Mombasa International Show, Kagwe said the Government is implementing a Coast Region Economic Revival Strategy based on 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, while Mombasa and Lamu will provide critical supply chain and logistics infrastructure to connect farmers to markets in Kenya, East Africa and globally.
Kagwe said achieving the targets will require increased investment, technology, irrigation and closer coordination between the national and county governments.
He also called for greater collaboration between the private sector, development partners, farmers and community organisations, noting that agriculture is a devolved function and county governments must play a central role in the transformation.
The Government is prioritising high-value value chains including coconut, cashew nuts, cassava, cotton, milk and meat.
The coconut subsector currently supports more than 100,000 farming households along the Coast, with more than 100,000 tonnes of coconut nuts valued at approximately KSh10.8 billion processed in 2025.
Kagwe said the Government is working to modernise and industrialise the coconut value chain by encouraging production of higher-value products such as virgin coconut oil, coconut water, coconut flour, coconut cream and coconut milk.
The Government is also seeking to revive the cashew nut subsector through subsidised seedlings, expansion of acreage, increased productivity and value addition.
The cotton subsector has also recorded growth, with the area under production increasing from 8,000 hectares in 2022 to 18,000 hectares in 2026.
Over the same period, cotton production increased from 6,779 bales weighing 105kg each to 15,000 bales, with the Government supporting the industry through Bt cotton, seed supplies and improved coordination across the value chain.
Kagwe said technology and innovation will be critical to achieving the region’s agricultural transformation.
The Kenya Agricultural and Digital Information Centre (KADIC) is being positioned as a one-stop centre for agricultural digitalisation and innovation, while partnerships between the public and private sectors are expected to accelerate the adoption of mechanisation, drone technology, animal identification and traceability, artificial intelligence and other digital solutions.