Kenya: A New Harvest Of Hope - Bt Cotton Revives Lamu

What the report says

AllAfrica reports that Bt cotton is helping revive cotton farming in Lamu County, on Kenya’s coast, where farmers say the crop is improving incomes and restoring confidence in an industry that had declined for years. The article focuses on growers in Mpeketoni and Mapenya sub-location, including Aisha Mohammed and Julia Njuguna, who say the new variety has helped them pay school fees, improve their homes and support their families.

According to the report, county agriculture officials say Lamu now accounts for about 60% of Kenya’s cotton output. They contrast older conventional varieties, which were vulnerable to pests and produced lower yields, with Bt cotton, which is described as pest-resistant and more productive. The county says farm-gate prices, stronger yields and regular technical support from extension officers are encouraging more farmers to return to the crop.

The article says the number of cotton farmers in Lamu has risen sharply since 2019, and that production is also increasing. It adds that the county is targeting a much larger harvest this season, helped by improved seed access and favorable weather. A new ginnery being developed by Thika Cloth Mills is expected to expand processing capacity and create more opportunities for growers.

Even so, the report notes that Bt seed remains expensive and limited in supply, which could slow wider adoption. More broadly, the piece presents cotton as a possible engine for local employment and rural recovery, while also showing that the sector still depends on affordable seed, reliable markets and continued policy support.