Coastal counties could produce far more food, livestock and cash crops than they currently do, Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has said, as the government moves to unlock the region’s untapped farming potential.
Kagwe said Lamu, Tana River, Kwale, Kilifi and Taita Taveta could raise output of cassava, cotton, milk, meat, cashew nuts and other agricultural products by three or four times.
He said the next phase of the government’s plan would put more attention on increasing farm production, processing agricultural goods and helping producers reach reliable markets.
“These counties have the potential to triple and even quadruple production of such products,” Kagwe said.
The CS spoke at Mkomani Showground during the official opening of the 2026 ASK Mombasa International Show, where agriculture, livestock, trade and related sectors were being showcased.
The five-day event, which runs from September 2 to 6, 2026, is being held under the theme “Promoting Climate Smart Agriculture and Trade Initiatives for Sustainable Economic Growth.”
Production drive
Kagwe said Tana River, Kilifi, Kwale and Taita Taveta have been placed at the centre of a government economic revival plan aimed at expanding production of crops and livestock that do well in the Coast region.
The programme will promote cash crops and livestock production while encouraging more processing of farm products before they are sold.
Mombasa and Lamu are expected to support the production areas by providing processing facilities, transport and trade services, as well as access to markets through the ports of Mombasa and Lamu.
Kagwe said the increased investment in agriculture should bring direct benefits to families by creating employment and generating more wealth within the region.
He also called for better road and railway connections between the Coast and other parts of the country to make it easier for farmers to move their produce to markets and obtain the inputs they need.
Cotton is already showing signs of growth under the government’s agricultural push, with the area planted with the crop increasing to about 18,000 hectares from 8,000 hectares in 2022.
Kagwe said reducing losses after harvesting would form another part of the government’s efforts, alongside improving storage facilities for agricultural produce.
Maize grown in the region is expected to be kept at the National Cereals and Produce Board depot in Voi, Taita Taveta County. The move is intended to cut post-harvest losses while making it easier for farmers to access markets.
Bandari Sacco Chairman Moses Sirgoi said major projects in Lamu, including the port and an upcoming refinery, could provide more opportunities for people living in the area.
“The investments are made here, jobs are created and remain here,” he said.
Kagwe said the ports of Mombasa and Lamu would be important in opening larger markets for agricultural producers from the region.
The government intends to make use of existing transport infrastructure to move produce from farms to processing centres and eventually to export markets.
Under the plan, farmers in Tana River, Kilifi, Kwale and Taita Taveta will be connected to markets, while Mombasa and Lamu will support processing and trade.
Kagwe said the programme would seek to ensure that money generated from agricultural production, processing and trade remains within the Coast region and benefits local communities.
The ASK Mombasa International Show has brought together exhibitors from agriculture, livestock, trade and other related fields, giving them a platform to display technologies and initiatives aimed at raising production and strengthening agricultural trade.