KWALE, County—Kenya is intensifying efforts to revive its cashew nut subsector, with a renewed focus on value addition, market access, and sustainable production as stakeholders seek to reposition the industry as a key economic driver.
The push took center stage during the inaugural National Cashew Conference 2026 held in Kwale County, where government officials, investors, farmers, and industry players convened to chart a path towards revitalising the sector.
Opening the conference, Agriculture Principal Secretary Kipronoh Ronoh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to boosting production through the distribution of high-quality seedlings, aimed at improving yields in key growing regions along the Coast.
The two-day forum, organised by the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) under the theme “Revive and Thrive: Unleashing Kenya’s Cashew Potential,” brought together stakeholders across the value chain to deliberate on investment opportunities, innovation, and long-term sustainability.
A major focus of the conference was the urgent need to shift Kenya from exporting raw cashew nuts to producing value-added products, a move seen as critical to increasing earnings and creating jobs.
Participants noted that despite favorable climatic conditions in counties such as Kwale, Kilifi, and Lamu, the sector continues to face persistent challenges including low productivity, aging trees, and limited processing capacity.
Deliberations on the second day of the conference turned to unlocking markets and strengthening competitiveness, with stakeholders calling for the adoption of direct-to-consumer models, improved branding, and better differentiation of African cashew products in global markets.
Speakers emphasized that product innovation, quality standardisation, and scalable small-scale processing are key to transforming the sector from subsistence-based production to a commercially viable industry.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of sustainability, with calls for climate-smart agriculture, circular economy approaches to reduce waste, and policies that support inclusive growth—particularly by enhancing the participation of women in domestic and regional markets.
Stakeholders further stressed the need for stronger alignment between policy, research, processing, and market systems to build a resilient and competitive cashew industry.
Among leaders present at the conference were AFA Chairman Cornelly Serem, Matuga MP Kassim Tandaza, Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, and AFA Acting Director General Calistus Kundu.
The renewed focus on the cashew subsector comes at a time when Kenya is seeking to strengthen agricultural value chains and expand its export base, with the Coast region expected to play a central role in driving the sector’s transformation.
