‎A new dawn awaits cotton farmers in the Coast region as two state-of-the-art ginneries in Kwale and Lamu promise to revive the cash crop and unlock fresh economic opportunities. ‎ ‎Cotton farming in the coastal counties of Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu, and Taita Taveta is bouncing back after years of decline, thanks to two new ginneries, one built by the government in Kwale and another by Thika Cloth Mills (TCM) in Lamu. ‎ ‎According to PAVI Cotton Farmers Cooperative Society Chairman in Kwale, Jackson Ndurya, for decades, farmers incurred heavy costs transporting raw cotton to far-flung ginneries in Makueni, Kitui, and Meru, leaving many disillusioned and abandoning the crop. ‎ ‎His sentiments were echoed by Magarini Cotton Farmers Cooperative Society Chairman in Kilifi, Raymond Charo, who said the new facilities are being hailed as a lifeline that will cut transport costs, expand value addition, and restore cotton as a pillar of rural livelihoods. ‎ ‎The benefits go beyond lint. Cottonseed by-products will be used for animal feed and bio-diesel, boosting agribusiness opportunities in the region. With reduced transport costs, access to inputs, and guaranteed markets, optimism is high that acreage under cotton in the Coast will expand significantly. ‎ ‎“This is just the beginning of a cotton revolution in the Coast,” said Asthma, a farmer from Kwale. “We can now farm cotton with confidence, knowing that it will put food on our tables.” ‎ ‎“We now have hope that our sweat will pay off,” said Ndurya who urged the government to speeden the completion of the Kwale ginnery.

“Previously, we spent too much on transport. Now we’ll deliver cotton right here at home, and that will encourage more farmers to return to cotton.” He added. ‎ ‎Ndurya said the Kwale ginnery will also produce by-products like cottonseed oil, biodiesel, and animal feed, creating extra value for farmers. “Many new farmers have embraced cotton since the ginnery project was launched. With government support and TCM’s incentives, the Coast will soon become a strong cotton-growing hub,” he said.

‎The Kwale ginnery, which is awaiting final installation of modern machines, is part of a broader government plan to revive the sector under the Buy Kenya, Build Kenya initiative.

This is according to Hesmond Olweny who is the Thika Cloth Mills Development Manager who said their investment in Lamu is expected to anchor the textile value chain by ensuring a steady supply of lint to the apparel industry. ‎ ‎Olweny said TCM has been supplying farmers with seeds, pesticides, and technical support in partnership with the government. He said TCM, which previously imported cotton from neighboring countries, is now focused on sourcing locally to strengthen and boost the cotton farmers adding that they have risen cotton prices from Ksh 52 to Ksh 72 per kilo. This he said was triggered by a presidential directive few months ago.. ‎ ‎“Cotton farmers are bouncing back with renewed energy following the increase in farm-gate prices from Ksh 52 to Ksh 72 per kilo, a directive by the President. Even though global cotton prices are lower, we remain committed to this price because we believe in the Buy Kenya, Build Kenya initiative that is creating jobs and food security,” Olweny said. ‎ ‎With Kwale and Lamu leading the way Olweny said, coastal farmers are on the brink of a new cotton boom, one that could finally cement Kenya’s textile industry as a global player. ‎ ‎In Kilifi, farmers are equally optimistic. Raymond Charo, Chair of Magarini Cotton Farmers Cooperative Society who said they will also be gining their cotton there, welcomed the new ginneries but urged timely distribution of certified seeds.

“More farmers are coming on board, but without seeds at the right time, momentum will be lost,” he said. ‎ ‎Individual farmers also see the revival as a turning point. Riziki Kariza of Kilifi called cotton a “sleeping giant” that is finally waking up.

“With guaranteed markets and better prices, our children will now see cotton as a crop worth investing in again,” she said.