Professor Boga’s journey from coconut farms to Africa’s agricultural powerhouse

From harvesting coconuts in Ukunda to shaping agricultural policy across Africa, Professor Hamadi Boga has built a career firmly rooted in the soil of Kwale County.

 In this wide-ranging conversation with the Star, the Vice President of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (Agra) reflects on his upbringing, the mentors who shaped his path, his time in government, and his views on agriculture, biotechnology, financing and the future of farming in Kenya and Africa.

 He also speaks about Kwale’s agricultural potential, why maize farming is often misunderstood by small-scale farmers, the GMO debate and why, in his words, “Kwale is calling.”  Excerpt.

 Professor, who is Hamadi Boga?

 I am from Kwale county in the Diani area. I would describe myself as a child of a local family. My parents were farmers. We grew up in the Ukunda settlement scheme where they cultivated cashew nuts, coconuts, mangoes, maize, pigeon peas and cowpeas. The main commercial crops were coconuts, mangoes and cashew nuts.

Those crops paid my school fees and shaped my life. Even today, my family is still involved in farming. My mother is still on the ground selling coconuts and mangoes. The cashew nut industry has declined, but we remain connected to agriculture.

That journey from a farming family eventually pushed me into science, research, policy and now continental agricultural development.

 Was there a specific moment when you chose a career in agriculture?

 Not really one moment. It was the environment around me — supportive parents, teachers and mentors. But my biggest motivator was my father. He was my biggest fan. He celebrated every achievement, no matter how small. Giving him joy became part of my motivation.

I realised early that the potential was already inside me; the responsibility was to grow it.

 From Ukunda to Principal Secretary under President Uhuru. How did that happen?

 I became a scientist and lecturer at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, where I taught, supervised students and did research. I am a professor of biology, which is closely linked to agriculture.

Later, I joined government as Principal Secretary for crop development and agricultural research under former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

We worked on aligning county and national agricultural policies after devolution and developed reforms in extension services, crop development and agricultural investment, including promotion of BT cotton.

  Is Kenya ready for GMOs?

 Legally, yes. Kenya has a strong biotechnology framework and is ahead of many African countries. The challenge is public perception. There is misinformation around GMOs, which creates fear among consumers and investors. Scientifically and legally, the systems are in place, but acceptance remains the issue.

 What is the biggest problem facing agriculture in Kwale?

 Lack of vision. There is no clear focus on which value chains the county should prioritise. Kwale has strong potential in mangoes, oranges, tangerines, lemons, chili, coconut and cashew nuts —high-value crops that can lift people out of poverty.

But farmers are largely left on their own with weak extension support and little structured investment.

 Is maize farming profitable on small plots?

 People confuse subsistence farming with commercial farming. On one or two acres, maize is mainly for food, not profit. For income, farmers should focus on high-value crops like chili, onions, French beans and horticulture.

 What should coastal farmers focus on?

Cassava is the future for many coastal and semi-arid areas. It grows well in sandy soils, as do sweet potatoes. We have not commercialised these crops. Countries like Nigeria and Ghana have industrial cassava value chains. Kenya can do the same.

 What’s your role at Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa? 

I serve as Vice President for programme delivery. We work in 12 African countries strengthening agricultural systems — policy, seeds, financing, markets and trade. Agriculture is more than farming; it is systems. We also support Kenya’s Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy and work to improve access to finance for farmers and SMEs.

 What is FINAS? Does he have a role in FINAS?

 FINAS stands for Financing Agriculture Sustainably. It brings together governments, banks and farmers to address underinvestment in agriculture. Agriculture is seen as risky, so lending is low. FINAS explores better ways to finance the sector.

 Why is trade important in agriculture?

 Agriculture is useless without markets. Africa imports about $100 billion (Sh12.91 trillion) of food annually, much of which can be produced locally. We trade more outside Africa than within it, which is risky during global disruptions.

  What is wrong with Kenya’s agriculture?

 Some value chains like tea and horticulture are strong, but maize and sugar are politicised. Productivity is low due to weak research and extension. We also grow crops in the wrong ecological zones.

 Your message to youth?

 Agriculture is business. It creates jobs and wealth, but must be modernised and financed properly.

 Finally, is Kwale calling?

 Kwale is calling. Many of our problems already have solutions. The challenge is leadership and prioritisation. With my experience, I believe I can contribute. And if not me, then who? 

Instant analysis

Professor Hamadi Boga presents agriculture not simply as farming, but also as Africa’s biggest untapped economic engine. His views expose the structural weaknesses affecting Kenya’s agricultural sector, low political prioritisation, weak financing, low research investment and failure to align crops with regional climates.