More than 5,000 farmers in Kwale County are set to benefit from the distribution of 33,000 assorted seedlings under a county government programme aimed at boosting food security and agricultural production.
The seedlings, distributed under the 2025/2026 financial year at a cost of Sh12.8 million, include mangoes, citrus, cashew nuts and coconuts.
Speaking during the distribution exercise, Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani said the initiative seeks to improve household incomes and support farmers to venture into high-value crop farming.
“We want our farmers to embrace crops that can improve their incomes while strengthening food security in the county,” said Achani.
She added that the county government was focusing on crops suited to the region’s climate and market demand in a bid to strengthen agribusiness and improve food production.
“These seedlings will help farmers increase production and also create opportunities for agribusiness and value addition,” she said.
According to the county government, 7,500 apple mango seedlings, 7,000 ngowe mango seedlings, 7,500 citrus seedlings, 5,500 cashew nut seedlings and 5,500 coconut seedlings were distributed to farmers across the county.
The seedlings were allocated among the county’s sub-counties, with Matuga and Msambweni receiving 7,000 seedlings each, while Shimba Hills and Lunga Lunga received 8,000 seedlings each. Kinango received 3,000 seedlings.
Achani said the programme was intended to ensure farmers across all regions benefit from agricultural support initiatives.
“We have distributed the seedlings across all sub-counties so that farmers from every region can benefit and contribute to food production,” she said.
The governor also said the tender for supplying the seedlings was awarded to local companies owned by women and youth groups.
Some of the firms contracted include Lunga Lunga Youth Enterprises, Miyani Digital Company Limited, Jopo Women Company Limited, Aakifa Women Company Limited and Bond of Brotherhood Company Limited.
A farmer, Ali Tunu, welcomed the programme, saying the seedlings would help improve production and incomes amid increasing demand for fruits and nuts.
“These seedlings will help us expand our farming and improve our earnings because there is a growing market for fruits and nuts,” said Tunu.
County officials who attended the event included County Secretary Sylvia Chidodo, Chief Officer for Agriculture Joseph Jabu and other county government officials.
By Chari Suche
