Cotton farming at the Coast is poised for revival as two modern ginneries in Kwale and Lamu will provide farmers a ready market and economic opportunities.
The Kwale ginnery, with construction spearheaded by the national government, is nearing completion.
The Thika-based textile giant, Thika Cloth Mills (TCM), has already opened another ginnery in Lamu.
The two projects are expected to benefit farmers in Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu and Taita Taveta, long crippled by lack of a ready market and high transport costs to distant ginneries in Kitui, Meru and Makueni counties.
“This is just the beginning of a cotton revolution in the Coast. We can now farm cotton with confidence, knowing we have a ready buyer and that it will put food on our tables,” farmer Asthman Mwadime in Kwale said.
Jackson Ndurya, chairman of the Kwale-based Cotton Farmers Cooperative Society (Pavi), said the ginnery would restore farmers’ faith in cotton farming.
He urged the government to fast-track its completion. The factory building awaits installation of modern machinery.
“Previously, we spent too much on transport,” Ndurya said. “Lack of a nearby market discouraged many farmers who ended up ditching the crop. Now we’ll deliver cotton right here at home and that will encourage more farmers to return to cotton.”
Farmers welcomed the ginneries, saying they would also help in value addition, producing cottonseed oil, animal feed and biodiesel, which will expand agribusiness.
Thika Clothes Mill development manager Hesmond Olweny said their investment in Lamu anchors the textile value chain by ensuring a steady supply of lint for the industry.
He said TCM, in partnership with the government, has been supplying farmers with seeds, pesticides and technical support while raising farm-gate prices from Sh52 to Sh72 per kilo, following a presidential directive.
“Although global cotton prices are lower, we remain committed to this rate because we believe in the Buy Kenya, Build Kenya initiative,” Olweny said.
Kilifi farmers also expressed optimism. Magarini Cotton Farmers Cooperative chairman Raymond Charo urged timely distribution of certified seeds.
“Momentum will be lost if farmers don’t receive seeds on time,” he said.
With Kwale and Lamu in the forefront, stakeholders say the Coast region is on the verge of a cotton boom that could position Kenya as a global textile player.
