Coconut Authority sets eyes on textile industry in new research

By Philip Mwakio

The Kenya Coconut Development Authority (KCDA) has launched a project to harness the full potential of the coconut tree.

The project, dubbed Conversion of Coconut waste to Marketable Products, is targeting zero waste from coconut husks.

The National Council for Science and Technology has already injected with a Sh7.5 million in to the project.

KCDA is collaborating with four other institutions in the project whose aim is to extract fibres from husks to produce textile materials through different value addition processes.

"This value addition will fetch more for all stakeholders in the coconut chain, starting with farmers," said Prof Stephen Githaiga from Moi University, the head of the research team.

"We hope this singular success will help better the fortunes of the coconut sub-sector and improve the livelihood of all stakeholders in the value chain," KCDA Managing Director, Dr Francis Kalama said, adding that the project will enable the sub sector meet targets set by Vision 2030.

Other key collaborating agencies involved in the project include Moi University, Multi Media University, the Kenya Agriculture Research Institute, and Guiding Systems.

Prof Githaiga said besides adding value and increasing revenue streams for coconut farmers, the research will also create a cleaner environment by processing the husks.