Kwale Cashewnut revival conference brings hope to Cashewnut farmers at the Coast -PS Hamadi Boga

 

Kwale Cashewnut revival workshop graced by Agriculture PS Prof. Hamadi Boga. FILE

 

Cashew nut processing revival in Thraka Nithi, Meru, Kilifi, Kwale, Mombasa, Taita Taveta, Tana River and Lamu gets a boost after KALRO and other investors take the mantle.


Agriculture PS Prof. Hamadi Boga said Cashewnut at the coast will get a major boost after KALRO approved four genetic species.

The government, however, is keen on reviving the sector which its production has reduced by 70 per cent from 1970.

" The conference seeks to bring together leading personalities drawn from key sectors that influence agricultural research and is modelled to inspire discussions on demand-driven agriculture research, " he said.

Through support from the European Union,  countries like Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia now wants a strategy to revive the industry going through the county governments.

A Three day workshop in Kwale on the cashew nut farming identified the crop as a cash crop and plans underway to revive the sector.

PS Boga said already there are over 15 Million improved seedlings which will require over 10,000 acres to secure the production.


Last year, Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi started the talks of reviving the cashew nuts and Sesame value chain project in Tezo, Kilifi County.


The project is a giant leap of hope to the more than 15,000 farmers of Kilifi, Kwale and Lamu counties.


Since the 1980s, the cashew industry was adding to the gross domestic product (GDP) over 4 per cent. In 1982, Kenya Cashewnut Ltd made a net profit of Ksh26 million ($325,000) up from Ksh3 million ($37,500) in 1975.


However, mismanagement of factory led its privatisation in 1993 and closing in 1998 becoming a major blow to Coastal farmers whose living had for years depending on the crop.