Cotton farmers in parts of Machakos county are upbeat over the recent increase in price of the produce by Sh20 per kilogram.

The price jumped from Sh52 to Sh72 per kilogram which farmers’ leaders say is an incentive to plant more cotton and boost their earnings.

At the same time, the farmers from Yatta cotton growing zone called on the government to protect local textile industries noting that this would significantly boost employment.

Led by David Kitiku from Kiwanzani in Ndalani, they said cotton had proved more profitable than traditional crops like maize and beans noting that one was able to harvest up to 700kg of the product from just one acre.

“Besides, cotton requires less rain compared to the other crops and this region being semi-arid, cotton is our cash crop of choice,” said Kitiku who spoke when farmers had gathered in Ndalani to deliver their produce to Thika Cloth Mills.

The cloth manufacturing company chief executive Tejal Dothia said they were supporting the government’s renewed focus on cotton farming that has sparked optimism among the farmers after facing years of low prices and inconsistent support.

Continued support

Tejal, while addressing the farmers, reassured them of the company’s continued support through distribution of seeds, pesticides and other farm inputs.

State collaboration

She noted that through collaboration with the government, last season alone, the firm distributed seeds worth over Sh 50 million to cotton-growing counties, including Machakos.

“We’re committed to ensuring you have what you need in order to succeed. The government has procured even more seeds this year, so we anticipate a smoother planting season and better yields” Tejal stated.

Francis Kilango, chairman of the Uvouni Cotton Farmers Cooperative Society and the cotton representative for the Lower Eastern region, praised both Thika Cloths Mills and the government for their efforts to revive the Cotton industry.

He called on the Machakos county government to borrow a leaf from the national government and prioritize cotton farming in its development agenda, emphasizing the need for adequate supply of farm inputs.

“We are thankful to President William Ruto for making cotton a national priority. The price increase has encouraged many to return to cotton farming, but we need continued support to make this industry thrive,” Kilango said.

Actionable process

The official also urged newly elected Cabinet Secretaries to visit the farmers and witness their challenges firsthand, emphasizing the need for actionable policies.

He also divulged that Makueni didn’t plant Cotton as before because they lacked seeds saying this should not happen when the country is keen on revitalizing the Cotton industry.

“There is need for the government to stop cheap imports of raw materials and support the local textile industries as by doing so, it would create employment to the youthful Kenyan Gen-Zs,” said Kilango.