On January 8, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mutahi Kagwe, unveiled a recovery plan aimed at revitalizing the cashew industry. In a statement posted on X, he explained that the strategy focuses on the multiplication and distribution of improved cashew seedlings, alongside enhanced technical support for farmers.
The initiative is being led by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (Kalro), through its research center in Mtwapa, Kilifi County. According to Kagwe, a new high-yield, disease-tolerant cashew variety has already been developed, with 20,000 seedlings ready for distribution during the upcoming long rains season. In addition, four more improved varieties are expected to be rolled out within the next six months. Seedling multiplication and distribution will be coordinated by the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) in collaboration with county governments, with support from the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) and agricultural extension services. Beyond planting material, the program also includes farmer training.
Producers will receive support on good agricultural practices, including proper spacing, intercropping with coconut and mango trees, and rejuvenation grafting to rehabilitate ageing orchards,
Kagwe said, as quoted by People Daily.
Declining output amid excess processing capacity
Through this initiative, the Ministry of Agriculture aims to revive a sector whose performance has weakened significantly over the past decade. Data compiled by the AFA show that national cashew production fell by 13% in 2024 to 7,803 tonnes, compared with 22,140 tonnes harvested in 2014.
Industry stakeholders attribute this decline to several structural challenges, including the spread of pests and diseases, deforestation, and diminishing farmer interest in cashew cultivation. In its 2025 annual report, the AFA noted that widespread cutting of cashew trees for firewood used by households and industries alike has undermined replanting efforts. Low farm-gate prices have further discouraged farming communities in producing regions, leading to the abandonment of many cashew farms. This production slump stands in sharp contrast to Kenya’s processing capacity. Official figures estimate installed cashew processing capacity at around 45,000 tonnes. However, insufficient raw material supply has left the sector operating well below its potential, limiting the value addition that could be generated domestically.
It remains to be seen whether the government’s new strategy will deliver tangible results in the coming years. Currently, most cashew nuts produced in Kenya are processed locally by small artisanal workshops and semi-industrial facilities such as East River Foods EPZ and Nuts and More Processing EPZ, and are mainly consumed on the domestic market. A smaller share is exported as raw nuts or incorporated into mixed dried fruit products, according to the AFA.
