- Government plans to triple Kenya’s annual bixa production to at least 3,000 tonnes through certified seedlings, extension services, farmer cooperatives and affordable financing.
- Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe said the initiative will increase farmer incomes, create jobs and strengthen rural economies by expanding the bixa value chain along the Coast.
- Farmers currently earn about Ksh 152,000 per acre annually from bixa, with increased production expected to help processors operate at full capacity and boost employment.
The government has unveiled a plan to triple Kenya’s annual bixa production to at least 3,000 tonnes, boosting jobs and farmer incomes.
The move is aimed at expanding the crop’s value chain and strengthening rural economies along the Coast.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe said the initiative will focus on increasing the number of growers and expanding acreage to meet growing demand from processors while strengthening rural economies.
The programme will be implemented by the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) in partnership with county governments along the Coast. It will involve the distribution of certified seedlings, enhanced extension services, establishment of farmer cooperatives and improved access to affordable financing.
“This is not just about increasing production. It is about bringing more farmers into a profitable value chain, creating more jobs and putting more money into rural households,” said Kagwe.
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At present, between 1,000 and 1,400 tonnes of bixa are produced annually by about 10,000 contracted farmers in Kwale, Kilifi and Lamu counties, falling well below the installed processing capacity.
Speaking during a visit to Kenya Bixa Limited in Kwale County, Kagwe said the government intends to bridge the production gap by rolling out more certified seedlings through AFA, which will also regulate planting materials and support farmers as the acreage under the crop expands.
“If we fill the gap between the current 1,000–1,400 tonnes and the 3,000-tonne capacity, we will not only increase exports and value addition, but also bring thousands more farmers into the bixa value chain, create more jobs and inject millions of shillings into rural economies every year,” said Kagwe.
The CS noted that farmers currently earn about Ksh 95 per kilogram of bixa, translating to approximately Ksh 152,000 per acre annually, making the crop an attractive commercial venture.
The expansion is also expected to benefit the processing sector. Kenya Bixa Limited currently employs about 150 people directly and supports hundreds more through contract farming, transport and supply chains.
Increasing raw material supply to match the factory’s capacity is expected to generate additional employment opportunities across the Coast region.
By Jonathan Mwinzi
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