The coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) is a perennial tree crop that is widely cultivated in more than 86 tropical countries of the world with a total production of 54 billion nuts per year. The palm produces nuts throughout the year when climatic conditions are favorable and are one of the most important food security crops. The palm is also regarded as the tree of life owing to its wide range of over 120 products for domestic and international markets.

It was introduced to Kenya in the 16th Century by the Portuguese. Its cultivation spread rapidly and it became an industrial crop of considerable economic importance during the 20th Century. Its production and marketing were handled by the Arab traders and white settlers on big plantations until the 19th century when small-scale farmers started growing it. Today the coconut is mainly a small-scale farmer’s crop. Over 80% of coastal farm households derive their livelihood either directly or indirectly from the coconut tree.

Origin

Coconut originated in the Indian-Indonesia region and float-distributed itself around the world by riding ocean currents. (Perera, et.al, 2009, Elevitch, 2006)

Distribution

The coconut has spread across the tropics mainly aided by seafaring people. Coconut fruit in the wild is light, buoyant, and highly water resistant. It is claimed that they evolved to disperse significant distances via marine currents (Foale, 2003).

In Kenya, the majority of the coconut trees are found in the Coastal Counties of Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River, and Lamu. Taita Taveta, a Coastal Highland County also has a small population of coconut trees; with the area under production continually increasing on yearly basis. Other areas with potential for coconut production include Busia and Homa Bay in the Lake Victoria region and Tharaka Nithi in Eastern region. The total area under coconut farming in Kenya is estimated to be 200,000 acres. Many (92%) of the trees are in the ages of 20-60 years. The rest (8%) of the coconut tree population is beyond the economic age limit of 60 years, and are either low nut producers or non-productive at all.