The Kenyan government is initiating a large-scale date palm farming project in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) to reduce imports and boost regional incomes. This push was highlighted during an official visit to Kutch Farm in Kibwezi, Makueni County, where high-yielding date varieties are already being cultivated.

• Kenya imported over Sh359 million worth of dates in 2024, despite producing only about 1,100 kilograms in 2023.
• Key officials involved include Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) Director-General Bruno Linyiru and Council of Governors chair and Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi.
• The project targets counties like Wajir, Mandera, and Makueni, aiming to leverage date palms' resilience to extreme heat and saline soils, with mature hectares potentially generating several million shillings annually from premium varieties like Medjool, which can fetch up to KSh 1,200 per kilogram.