AFA outlines plans to revive bixa farming at the Coast

Kenya has unveiled far-reaching reforms to revive the farming of bixa, a high-value crop prized globally for its natural colourant, in the Coast to protect farmers from exploitation.

Under the Crops (Bixa) Regulations, 2025, the reforms seek to address long-standing governance gaps, strengthen farmer incomes and restore confidence across the entire value chain—from production and processing to marketing and exports.

Dr Bruno Linyiru, Director General of the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), said the regulations would formalise a sector that has operated informally for decades despite strong global demand.

“These regulations are about bringing order, transparency and fairness to the bixa industry. Our goal is to protect farmers, improve quality and ensure Kenya remains competitive in the global natural colourants market,” Dr Linyiru said.

The bixa sub-sector is dominated by smallholder farmers, most of whom market their produce individually. AFA estimates that only about 30 per cent of growers are organised into producer groups, mainly in Kwale, Kilifi and Lamu counties. 

Most seeds are sold to two major off-takers, Kenya Bixa Limited and Botanical Extract, often through marketing agents, a structure that has left farmers with weak bargaining power and little price transparency.

For farmers like John Mutua from Kwale County, the lack of organisation has long been costly.

“When you sell alone, you take whatever price is offered. Sometimes you don’t even know why the price has gone down,” Mutua said. “If these regulations help us sell as groups and understand pricing, that will be a big relief," he says.

Bixa, locally known as 'mrangi' and scientifically as Bixa orellana, was introduced in Kenya in the 1970s for commercial exploitation as a source of bixin, a natural dye widely used in food, dairy, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Despite strong international demand, the sector has been hampered by fragmented production, weak quality control and limited oversight.

Under the new regulations, all actors—growers, nurseries, agents, processors and exporters—must be registered and licensed into a national database to improve planning, traceability and market oversight.

“We are standardising how bixa is produced, handled and marketed. This is essential for quality assurance, export credibility and attracting new investment,” Dr Linyiru said.

Quality challenges have been a major drag on the industry. Uncertified seedlings, premature harvesting and poorly dried seeds with low bixin content have undermined Kenya’s export competitiveness.

To address this, AFA has developed a Bixa Production Handbook, outlining Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) from farm establishment to post-harvest handling and marketing. 

Capacity-building programmes based on the handbook are expected to roll out from 2026/27 financial year.

The regulations also open the door for licensed commercial nurseries, with planting materials certified by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), ensuring farmers access clean and high-quality seedlings.

For coastal farmers, where bixa is a key income source, the reforms promise tangible benefits. They introduce direct market linkages, promote contract farming, protect farmers from multiple levies during transit and establish a pricing formula mechanism to guard against exploitation.

In Kilifi County, farmer David Ringa says poor-quality handling has often translated into rejected produce and losses.

“Sometimes buyers complain about moisture or low colour, yet no one trained us properly,” Ringa said. “If AFA trains farmers and links quality to better prices, we will gladly comply.”

New packaging standards, limiting single bags to 50 kg, have also been introduced to protect farmers’ health, while traceability systems will link payments directly to quality.

With the regulations in force, farmers are encouraged to form or join growers’ associations to benefit from economies of scale. Registration and licensing of all actors will be automated and offered free of charge. A pricing formula committee will be constituted to advise on fair prices based on production costs and supply and demand dynamics.

Authorities expect improved transparency in payments, reduced malpractices such as premature harvesting and smuggling, and stronger collaboration between national and county governments.

While the reforms are expected to boost investor confidence, AFA insists safeguards are in place to prevent market distortions.

“We want investment, but not at the expense of farmers,” Dr Linyiru said. “Licensing, transparent pricing and clear contract farming guidelines will help prevent exploitation and monopolistic behaviour.”

AFA plans to map all bixa production areas within the current financial year to establish accurate data on hectarage and key actors. The data will guide extension services, regulatory interventions and market development. Enforcement will rely on county-based inspectorates, digital traceability tools and joint audits with county governments.

Value addition remains a major opportunity. The authority is promoting small-scale and decentralised processing, diversification into natural pigments and seed-based products, and targeted support for youth- and women-led enterprises. Market expansion will focus on exhibitions, buyer linkages, certification and consistent supply.

“If properly implemented, these rules can turn bixa into a reliable income crop,” Mutua said. “What farmers want is fairness and a future.”

Over the next 12 months, stakeholders should expect nationwide sensitisation campaigns, inspector training, a registration and licensing drive, routine inspections and an initial review of implementation challenges, steps that could finally unlock the full potential of Kenya’s bixa industry.