07/05/2026
AFA LEADS STAKEHOLDERS IN BOOSTING COTTON SUB SECTOR IN LAMU COUNTY
AFA Chairperson Hon. Cornelly Serem has led a high-level delegation of stakeholders in a major agricultural intervention aimed at revitalizing cotton farming in Lamu County through the distribution of 3 tonnes of BT cotton seeds.
The initiative, implemented through a collaboration between the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) and the County Government of Lamu, is designed to boost productivity among cotton farmers and strengthen agricultural value chains across key production zones in the county.
Hon. Serem announced that the support programme will be scaled up from 3 tonnes to 9 tonnes of BT cotton seeds in the next planting season to expand production and reach more farmers. He commended farmers and the county leadership for positioning Lamu as a leading cotton-producing region contributing over 60 percent of national output.
Speaking during the launch at Mpeketoni ATC on Thursday morning, AFA Chairperson Hon. Cornelly Serem was accompanied by Board Director Member Mr. Kitivo, Director of the Miraa, Pyrethrum, Fibre and Other Industrial Crops Directorate (MPFICD) Ms. Grace Kyalo and other senior officers from the Directorate.
Deputy Governor Dr. Mbarak Bahjaj reaffirmed the county government’s commitment under Governor Issa Timamy to deepen collaboration with AFA and investors in expanding agricultural opportunities, noting that agriculture remains central to Lamu’s economic transformation.
The CECM for Agriculture Hon. James Gichu noted that the introduction of BT cotton by AFA has addressed long-standing challenges of access to quality seed, which had significantly constrained productivity. He added that continued collaboration between AFA and the County Government is strengthening agriculture as a key driver of rural incomes and economic growth.
The support package distributed during the launch included 3 tonnes of BT cotton seeds, 10,000 bixa seedlings, 10,500 bottles of pesticides and 16 motorized sprayer machines for cooperatives, all valued at KSh 20 million.
Farmers and cooperative leaders who attended the event at Mpeketoni ATC welcomed the programme, describing it as a timely intervention that will revive cotton farming and improve livelihoods across the region.
Also present were Hon. Julius Ndegwa, Ms. Tejal Dodhia, the Managing Director of Thika Cloth Mills, representatives from Makueni ginners and other key stakeholders who expressed commitment to supporting the growth of the cotton value chain in the county.