Kilifi County is targeting to issue 140,000 cashew nut seedlings to farmers in the county in a move aimed at enhancing income and improving the production.
Governor Amason Kingi says additional funds will be set aside in the coming financial year to aid in the purchase of more seedlings.
This comes as the Senate Agriculture committee reassured farms that it is working on modalities that will streamline the sector.
The Coastal region was the leading producer of cashew nuts until the early 90s when the industry collapsed due to neglect and plunder by cartels.
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Majority of farmers were then forced uproot the crop opting for an alternative crop for survival. To aid recover efforts the Kilifi County government plans to plant five million trees in the entire county this rainy season.
Speaking at County headquarters while addressing the Senate Agriculture Committee Governor Jeffa Amason Kingi said the county government has also increased the number of extension field officers who are moving round in villages to encourage farmers to embrace cashew nut farming.
The Senate has similarly promised to address challenges that face the sector in a bid to weed out fraudsters that have plagued the sector.
Kilifi is already working with Ten Senses in encouraging cashew nut farming in the county.
