Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has launched a renewed push to revive Kenya’s struggling cashew nut industry, saying the sector holds vast untapped potential to create jobs, raise farmer incomes and boost export earnings, particularly along the Coast.
Kagwe warned that years of declining production have eroded livelihoods and forced farmers out of a crop that once sustained thousands of households, even as global demand for cashew nuts continues to grow.
Kenya currently produces about 13,000 tonnes annually, far below its installed processing capacity of 45,000 tonnes.
“Kenya is producing far below its potential, and the cost has been borne by farmers, workers and the wider economy,” Kagwe said during a visit to cashew farmers and processors in Kilifi County.
According to estimates by the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), a fully revived cashew industry could create up to 350,000 jobs across farming, processing, transport and exports, while contributing more than Sh30 billion to the country’s gross domestic product.
The CS said the production gap has denied the economy hundreds of thousands of jobs and weakened coastal livelihoods.
Kagwe said the government’s revival strategy is anchored on research and farmer support, led by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO), particularly its Mtwapa Centre, which focuses exclusively on cashew nut research.
He was accompanied by AFA Director General Dr Bruno Linyiru and Ann Gikonyo, Director of Nuts and Oil Crops at AFA.
He said KALRO Mtwapa has developed a new cashew variety that is disease tolerant and capable of doubling yields, with 20,000 seedlings already available for distribution during the coming long rains.
Four additional improved varieties are at advanced stages of development and will be ready within six months.
“Farmers have complained about declining yields and disease pressure. Research has responded, and the solutions are ready,” Kagwe said.
Seedling multiplication and distribution is being coordinated by AFA in collaboration with county governments, with support from KEPHIS and extension services to ensure quality and last-mile delivery.
Farmers were also sensitised on good agronomic practices, including recommended spacing of 10 metres by 10 metres and intercropping cashew with coconut and mango to raise incomes and improve climate resilience.
KALRO officials noted that top-grafting offers a faster option to rehabilitate ageing orchards.
Kagwe questioned Kenya’s continued reliance on imports despite the crop’s local potential.
“How can we be importing cashew nuts when our land is idle and our farmers are struggling?” he posed.
The delegation also met private sector processors, including East River Foods EPZ Limited, formerly Grow Fairly, which said the country must urgently scale up production to match processing capacity.
The company said it has invested about USD 3 million in the value chain, employs around 600 women, and works with 15,000 farmers, though only 3,000 have 50 trees or more.
Processors cited challenges in seedling affordability and last-mile delivery, noting that even the subsidised Sh30 per seedling remains unaffordable for many farmers.
Another processor, Nuts and More Processing (EA) EPZ Ltd, said insufficient raw cashew supply continues to constrain operations despite significant processing capacity.
Kagwe said reviving the sector will require a whole-of-government approach and announced plans for a high-level stakeholder meeting to fast-track a master plan.
“Cashew farmers, there is hope. We have heard you and this time, we are moving with speed and seriousness,” he said.
