Kenya’s Cotton Leftovers Are Finding New Value

**Kenyan Cotton Industry Turns Agricultural Waste into New Revenue Streams**

Kenyan farmers, community groups, and manufacturers are increasingly repurposing cotton waste—including stalks, gin trash, and textile offcuts—into marketable products such as fuel briquettes, mattress filling, and household textiles. This emerging circular economy is providing new income opportunities for rural households and small-scale enterprises.

**Repurposing Agricultural Residue**
In cotton-growing regions such as Kilifi, Kitui, Makueni, and Lamu, farmers have traditionally burned or discarded plant residue after harvests. Agronomist Jeremiah Njuguna noted that burning these materials not only contributes to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions but also represents a loss of potential revenue for farmers.

Through the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project, the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) has been training farmers on value-addition techniques. Dr. Patrick Ketiem of KALRO explained that cotton stalks can be shredded, carbonized, and compressed into briquettes. These briquettes serve as an alternative to conventional wood charcoal for schools, hotels, and households.

In Makueni County, women-led cooperatives have adopted this model. Mary Mutua, chairperson of a 28-member cooperative, stated that the production of briquettes has provided members with a year-round income source, reducing their reliance on rain-fed agriculture and helping them cover expenses such as school fees and health insurance.

**Industrial Applications for Textile Waste**
Beyond agricultural residue, a separate value chain is emerging for short cotton fibers, yarn sweepings, and fabric offcuts collected from factories and ginneries. Manufacturers are processing these materials into products such as mattress and cushion filling, cleaning cloths, mops, and blankets.

Companies like Nairobi-based Bobmil Ltd and Africa Collect are currently utilizing these materials. However, David Ongare, Director of Compliance at the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), noted that the lack of organized collection systems remains a challenge, as some waste continues to enter municipal streams or is dumped illegally.

**Supply Chain Challenges and Trade**
Despite the growth of local processing, Kenyan manufacturers still rely heavily on imports to meet demand. According to data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity, Kenya imported between US$600,000 and US$1 million worth of cotton waste and related materials in 2024, with Tanzania supplying approximately 60%.

Reports from the Kenya National Cotton Textile and Apparel (CTA) and the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) indicate that Tanzanian imports are often preferred due to consistent quality and pre-graded, baled supply. In contrast, Kenya’s domestic supply remains fragmented, making collection and transportation costly. Experts suggest that establishing regional aggregation centers equipped with hydraulic balers could help stabilize the domestic supply chain.

**Government and Financial Support**
The Kenyan government has identified agricultural value addition as a priority for job creation and economic growth. Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development Mutahi Kagwe stated that the government intends to collaborate with financial institutions to facilitate easier access to credit for these enterprises.

Commercial banks, including Equity Bank, Co-operative Bank of Kenya, Absa, and KCB, offer financing for agricultural value-addition projects. Equity Group CEO James Mwangi confirmed that the bank provides loans for such initiatives, noting that the sector presents significant opportunities for growth.

For farmers like Peterson Mwadau, who grows cotton on 18 acres in Kilifi, the shift toward value addition has transformed what was once a disposal problem into a source of immediate household income.

Article and image source: allafrica.com