Coast

State distributes 42,000 coconut seedlings to Coastal farmers to boost production

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By Charity Kilei | Friday, April 19, 2024

The CS urged state departments, counties, research institutions, and coconut farmers to boost production for both local consumption and export.

Farmers in coastal regions received over 42,000 coconut seedlings from the government to boost production.

The Agriculture and Food Authority, in collaboration with the Commodities Fund, distributed the seedlings to counter the declining coconut tree numbers on Wednesday.

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During the launch of National Coconut Week in Kilifi, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi underscored the link between reduced trees and decreased production, impacting household incomes.

Linturi emphasized the importance of collective efforts to plant more coconut trees and increase production to meet the demand for various coconut products.

"We must unite to enhance coconut tree planting and production to meet the diverse product demand, including leaves, flowers, tender nuts, and mature nuts," he stated.

He added that the coconut value chain supports approximately one million people in the coastal region's agriculture sector due to its effective linkages.

The CS urged state departments, counties, research institutions, and coconut farmers to boost production for both local consumption and export.

"I call upon county governments to ensure a sustainable supply of quality coconut planting materials and to provide extension services to raise productivity from the current annual average of 30 nuts per tree to a potential of 150 nuts per tree," Linturi said.

Kilifi North MP Owen Baya revealed the government's plans to allocate funds in the next financial year's budget to enhance coconut farming.

Baya also introduced a bill in the National Assembly to establish a Coconut and Cashewnut Authority.

"Current allocations from the oil and nuts authority neglect coconut production. Hence, I propose we dissolve that directorate and establish an authority dedicated to coconut and cashew plants," Baya explained.

Calistus Kundu, from the Agriculture and Food Authority, announced a two-day conference in Kilifi to strategize on improving coconut production across all six coastal counties.

He added that collaborative efforts would plant the seedlings provided from April 20 to April 26 to ensure full utilization.

James Katana, representing coconut farmers, raised concerns about diseases and pests affecting their trees and urged the government to find a lasting solution. He also requested modern, improved hybrid coconut seedlings, as current ones perform poorly.

In the preceding month, the Kenya Seed Company launched a campaign to crack down on dishonest traders selling counterfeit seeds to farmers ahead of the planting season.

CEO Sammy Chepsorir noted the presence of unscrupulous traders selling fake seeds and introduced a verification code for quality assurance. Farmers can confirm seed authenticity via SMS after purchase.

Kenya Seed Company Chairperson Wangui Ngirichi highlighted collaboration with security agents to eradicate fake seed sales. Ngirichi urged farmers to verify seed authenticity and capitalize on the current rains to enhance food security.