The coconut sub-sector in Kenya has great potential to drive economic growth, especially in the Coastal belt where it serves as the main cash crop. Valued at Sh13 billion, the Kenyan coconut sub-sector offers a wide range of products that are in high demand globally, including food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and industrial oils. Coconuts are commonly referred to as the “tree of life” due to their diverse range of applications in both international and domestic markets.
Despite its potential, there are challenges to sustainability in Kilifi County. These include the lengthy maturation period of coconut trees, communal land ownership, drought, and indiscriminate felling of productive coconut trees. To overcome these challenges, the National and County Governments of Kilifi are implementing measures to protect the coconut sub-sector. These measures include THE TREE OF LIFE policies against indiscriminate felling and provision of subsidized planting materials.
Initiatives like the Kilifi Business Incubation Hub by Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC) have been put in place to support agripreneurs. The KCIC has partnered with the EU and Danida to provide training, mentorship, certification assistance, and access to funding for farmers in the region. The focus is to enhance productivity and quality of coconut products.
Patrick Kithi Sofa, founder of Pepa Coconut oil, is optimistic about the impact of these interventions in accessing markets for coconut products. With the Kilifi Business Incubation Hub in place, farmers in the region can benefit from training and certification to improve their productivity and quality, making it easier for them to access markets for their coconut products.