Summary
Kenya predominantly cultivates Cotton and Sisal as its primary fiber crops. These drought-resistant plants thrive in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid regions (ASALs) and hold the promise of alleviating poverty, enhancing food security, and curbing unemployment. A wide spectrum of Kenyan citizens reaps the rewards of these fiber crops, engaging in various roles such as processing, trading, transportation, and supplying essential inputs.
History of Sisal Farming in Kenya
The history of the Sisal growing and processing industry in Kenya can be traced back to 1914 when the first Sisal cultivation company was established in Thika. During its initial five decades, the industry experienced remarkable growth, characterized by a rapid expansion in both the acreage under cultivation and the quantity of Sisal being exported. This surge in Sisal production led to the establishment of a spinning factory in Juja and a Sisal research station in Thika.
However, a significant setback occurred in the 1940s with the advent of cheaper synthetic fibers, which led to a decline in global demand for Sisal. Nevertheless, the demand for Sisal worldwide has seen a remarkable resurgence since the 1990s. This resurgence can be attributed to global awareness of the environmental benefits of using Sisal, as well as an increased utilization of Sisal fibers in the construction and building industries in West African and Middle Eastern countries.
Sisal Growing Areas in Kenya
Sisal, a resilient crop that thrives in the arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya (ASALs), plays a crucial role in ensuring food security in regions where traditional food crops struggle to flourish.
The majority of Sisal cultivation occurs within large plantations, contributing to over 80% of the total production. These estates are situated in various counties, including Kilifi, Makueni, Taita Taveta, Baringo, and Nakuru.
Additionally, smallholder Sisal farming is widespread throughout the country, with concentrations in specific regions:
- Eastern region: Specifically, in Machakos, Makueni, and Kitui.
- Nyanza region: Predominantly in Homa Bay, Migori, and Siaya.
- Rift Valley: Particularly around plantation farms in the Migotiyo area of Baringo County.
- Coast region: Primarily in Kilifi County.
Production of Sisal
Sisal primarily thrives as a plantation crop, contributing to over 80% of the total production. In 2019, there were ten sisal plantations covering a total area of 24,583 hectares.
Smallholder sisal cultivation, on the other hand, is commonly employed as a boundary crop and along contours for soil conservation, often not intended for harvesting. However, due to increased incomes from sisal, farmers have begun cultivating it as a standalone crop on their farms, accounting for an estimated 2,500 acres.
Remarkably, more than 90% of Kenya’s sisal production is earmarked for export to various global destinations, while the remaining portion is sold to local cordage and cottage industries.
Social-economic Importance of Sisal in Kenya
Sisal cultivation is concentrated in regions characterized by a high incidence of poverty. It plays a pivotal role in income generation and the creation of employment opportunities.
The sisal sub-sector currently supports around 30,000 farmers, with the capacity to potentially benefit up to 150,000 farmers.
In 2019, sisal made a substantial contribution of KES 3.72 billion to the Kenyan economy.
Sisal Processing Journey
The sisal processing journey involves a series of steps, including decortication, cleaning, drying, brushing, grading, and baling. Beyond this, it extends into spinning, weaving, and various peripheral industries, such as animal feed, bio-energy production, geo-textiles, specialty papers, and even dartboards.
When it comes to production trends, Kenya ranks as the world’s third-largest sisal producer, following Brazil and Tanzania. Over the past five years, the average sisal production has maintained a level of 24,461 metric tons. In 2018, the total sisal cultivation area covered 29,000 hectares. However, yields per hectare remain relatively low, ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 metric tons per hectare, despite the potential for higher yields between 2.5 to 5.0 metric tons per hectare.