A coconut tree in Mombasa. [Photo/Pinterest.]
Thousands of coconut farmers at the Coastal counties of Kilifi, Mombasa, Kwale, and Lamu have received the renewed hope of improving their income as the first consignment of hybrid coconut seeds have been shipped in the country from India.On Friday, according to the Business Daily, Micro Enterprises Support programme Trust (MESPT), Corporate Communication Officer, Ann Ngugi said that the imported seeds are of high quality than the indigenous ones that have been grown at the Coast for decades now.“The imported hybrid coconuts are more superior to the existing indigenous East African Tall Coconut in terms of quality and quantity of production per nut and are set to revolutionize the coconut sector in Kenya,” Mrs. Ngugi said as quoted by The Business Daily.“The hybrid palms are product specific, the coconut water, fiber content and palm wine production but the indigenous were planted by chance,” she said.In addition, she said that the idea of hybrid coconut had received support from locals and other local organizations.“Overtime now the idea has attracted various partners that include Nuts and Oils Directorate, Ministry of Agriculture and the local County governments,” Ngugi added as quoted by the Business Daily.The imported seeds are still at the Port of Mombasa awaiting offloading after which they will be transported to Kwale County for piloting.