What to Farm in Lamu County: Crops, Livestock and Profit
Lamu ranks 4th for green grams and 5th for camels among Kenya's counties. Below is everything the latest national figures record there.
Where Lamu Leads Kenya
Rank 1 means the biggest producer or herd among counties that report the product.
Green grams (ndengu)
10,027 tonnes
4th of 33 counties
10,555 ha · 0.9 t per ha · 5.9% of Kenya
Camels
221,508 animals
5th of 26 counties
5.2% of Kenya
Cowpeas
5,708 tonnes
6th of 37 counties
9,350 ha · 0.6 t per ha · 3.6% of Kenya
Pigeon peas
300 tonnes
7th of 19 counties
500 ha · 0.6 t per ha · 0.2% of Kenya
Meat goats
1 million animals
9th of 47 counties
3.0% of Kenya
Source: KNBS National Agriculture Production Report 2023 to 2024. Shares compare Lamu with all of Kenya. Counties report figures to the national team and some years swing sharply.
Crops Grown in Lamu: 2023 Figures
Area, output and yield for every crop the national report records in Lamu.
| Crop | Area (ha) | Output | Yield (t per ha) | National rank | Share of Kenya |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton | Not given | 3,894 bales of lint | Not given | 1st of 21 | 55.6% |
| Green grams (ndengu) | 10,555 | 10,027 t | 0.9 | 4th of 33 | 5.9% |
| Cowpeas | 9,350 | 5,708 t | 0.6 | 6th of 37 | 3.6% |
| Pigeon peas | 500 | 300 t | 0.6 | 7th of 19 | 0.2% |
| Sorghum | 2,004 | 2,839 t | 1.4 | 11th of 41 | 1.4% |
| Sweet potatoes | 284 | 8,961 t | 31.6 | 11th of 42 | 1.3% |
| Finger millet | 563 | 535 t | 1.0 | 15th of 27 | 1.4% |
| Maize | 45,800 | 74,318 t | 1.6 | 21st of 47 | 2.0% |
Yield is output divided by area. Coffee is the 2022 to 2023 crop year. Sugar, tea and cotton show processed output.
Livestock and Poultry Kept in Lamu
Numbers kept in Lamu in 2023, ranked against other counties.
| Animal or bird | Number kept | National rank | Share of Kenya |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meat goats | 1 million | 9th of 47 | 3.0% |
| Beef cattle | 357,504 | 14th of 47 | 2.2% |
| Dairy goats | 7,222 | 18th of 47 | 1.2% |
| Hair sheep | 224,422 | 20th of 47 | 1.0% |
| Dairy cattle | 10,391 | 38th of 47 | 0.2% |
| Camels | 221,508 | 5th of 26 | 5.2% |
| Donkeys | 73,385 | 6th of 46 | 4.3% |
| Pigs | 7,734 | 21st of 43 | 0.9% |
| Rabbits | 4,645 | 31st of 46 | 0.6% |
| Beehives | 4,191 | 43rd of 47 | 0.2% |
| Quails | 3,091 | 3rd of 19 | 10.1% |
| Geese | 5,038 | 12th of 43 | 2.5% |
| Pigeons | 1,431 | 12th of 28 | 0.6% |
| Turkeys | 1,502 | 22nd of 44 | 0.6% |
| Ducks | 4,203 | 28th of 45 | 0.8% |
| Guinea fowl | 214 | 34th of 38 | 0.2% |
| Broilers | 7,816 | 37th of 47 | 0.1% |
| Indigenous chicken | 225,633 | 41st of 47 | 0.4% |
| Layers | 9,066 | 43rd of 47 | 0.1% |
When to Plant in Lamu
Lamu is in a two-season area. Two seasons. Long rains: plant March to April, harvest July to August. Short rains: plant October to November, harvest February to March.
Blocks show the usual months.
Source: FEWS NET Kenya country book, citing a 2024 Ministry of Agriculture official. Rain onset is erratic, so planting can stretch from March to May. Windows suit crops of 4 to 7 months. Altitude changes the pattern inside a county, so ask your sub-county agricultural officer.
Five-Year Trends in Lamu
Output of the leading products since 2019. Bars compare years, and the dark bar is the latest.
Green grams (ndengu)
Up 3% since 2019
tonnes
Cowpeas
Up 25% since 2019
tonnes
Maize
Up 40% since 2019
tonnes
Sorghum
Up 265% since 2019
tonnes
Source: KNBS National Agriculture Production Report 2023 to 2024. Counties report these figures and they can swing from year to year. Read the direction, not one year.
The Main Products in Lamu
A short read on each of the five strongest products, with the numbers behind it.
Green grams (ndengu)
In 2023 Lamu produced 10,027 tonnes of green grams. That ranks 4th of 33 counties and gives 5.9% of Kenya's output. Farmers used 10,555 ha, a yield of 0.9 t per ha. That is about 56% above the national average of 0.6. Output rose 3% between 2019 and 2023. Plant in March to April and October to November. Sell through local markets, traders and millers. Compare prices on KAMIS before you sell.
Camels
Lamu recorded about 221,508 camels in 2023. That ranks 5th of 26 counties and gives 5.2% of Kenya's total. Sell through livestock markets and traders. Ask the county livestock office for market days.
Donkeys
Lamu recorded about 73,385 donkeys in 2023. That ranks 6th of 46 counties and gives 4.3% of Kenya's total. Check farm gate prices on KAMIS and ask your sub-county agricultural office about buyers.
Cowpeas
In 2023 Lamu produced 5,708 tonnes of cowpeas. That ranks 6th of 37 counties and gives 3.6% of Kenya's output. Farmers used 9,350 ha, a yield of 0.6 t per ha. That is about 9% below the national average of 0.7. Output rose 25% between 2019 and 2023. Plant in March to April and October to November. Sell through local markets, traders and millers. Compare prices on KAMIS before you sell.
Pigeon peas
In 2023 Lamu produced 300 tonnes of pigeon peas. That ranks 7th of 19 counties and gives 0.2% of Kenya's output. Farmers used 500 ha, a yield of 0.6 t per ha. That is close to the national average of 0.6. Plant in March to April and October to November. Sell through local markets, traders and millers. Compare prices on KAMIS before you sell.
Where to Sell in Lamu
Buyers, factories and markets to check first. Each one is a lead, not a promise.
Confirm before delivering. Every name here is a lead from a research directory compiled on 8 November 2026. Operators, catchments and rules change. We have not checked each one.
How to find a buyer in Lamu
- Check farm gate and wholesale prices on KAMIS. It covers five markets in every county.
- Ask the county cooperative officer which registered societies buy your product.
- Visit the buyer first. Ask for the grade, price, payment date and who pays transport.
- Start with one small delivery before you commit your harvest.
Livestock
No named livestock market is in our directory for Lamu yet.
Ask the county livestock or veterinary office for market names and days. Never move animals without the right permits.
Fish
Landing points: Lamu, Mokowe and other landing sites.
Grain and pulses
National buyers and channels:
- National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots
- Unga Group
- Pembe Flour Mills
- Mombasa Maize Millers
- Capwell Industries
- Kitui Flour Mills
Confirm grades, bag sizes and payment terms before you deliver.
Know a buyer or a market in Lamu that should be listed? Tell us on WhatsApp. Please send the business name, product, location and how farmers can sell to it.
Priority Value Chains in Lamu
The national strategy backs these products in Lamu. Open a guide to see how each one is farmed.
Rain and Soil in Lamu County
Lamu is in the Coast zone of the national strategy. These notes describe the whole zone, not one farm.
- Crops the zone favours
- Maize, sorghum, millet, cashews and mangoes.
- Livestock and fish
- Poultry, plus sea fish, crabs, prawns and shellfish.
- Rain and soil
- Two seasons of moderate rain. A mix of sandy and fertile soils.
- Farming households
- About 0.3 million farming households
- Typical rainfall
- 600 to 1,200 mm
- Typical farm size
- 1 to 10 acres
- Typical household income
- under KES 10,000 a month
Income, farm size and rainfall are 2019 strategy estimates. Read the AEZ guide to see how zones are set.
Test the Profit of Lamu’s Top Products
Pick a product. See revenue, costs and break-even for your acreage in seconds.
What These Figures Do Not Show
Fruit and vegetables
The report has no county figures for tomatoes, avocados or onions. Check local buyers first.
Fish
Fish output is reported by lake and sea, not by county. See the fish guide.
Your ward
Soil and rain change inside a county. Ask your sub-county agricultural officer.
Your profit
Output is not profit. Run your own costs in the profit calculator.
Questions About Farming in Lamu
What crops grow best in Lamu County?
Lamu ranks 4th for green grams and 5th for camels. The biggest crop areas are maize (45,800 ha), green grams (10,555 ha), cowpeas (9,350 ha).
Which livestock is common in Lamu County?
Lamu ranks 3rd for quails, 5th for camels, 6th for donkeys. The table above lists every animal and bird recorded.
Which fruits, vegetables and fish suit Lamu County?
The national report has no county figures for these. See the strategy list for Lamu above, then check local buyers and water.
What agro-ecological zone is Lamu County in?
The national strategy places Lamu in the Coast zone. Our AEZ guide explains how zones, rain and soil shape what you can grow.
How do I work out profit in Lamu County?
Open the farm profit calculator, choose your product, then enter your acres, yield and local price.
Does this cover my sub-county or ward?
No. The national figures stop at county level. Soil and rain change across a county, so ask your sub-county agricultural officer.
Where do the figures come from?
The KNBS National Agriculture Production Report 2023 to 2024 is the source. Figures are for 2023, and coffee uses crop year 2022 to 2023.
Ask About Farming in Lamu
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Plan, Fund and Scale Your Farm in Lamu
Farm business plan
A costed plan for your acreage, market and cash flow. Banks and Saccos ask for one. Ask for a quote.
Finance for your farm
Learn what lenders ask for, which securities they accept and how to apply. We can help you prepare.
County agribusiness brief
For banks, programmes, investors and county teams. A short paid brief on Lamu: products, buyers, risks and gaps.
About This Page
Updated 8 November 2026. Production figures are 2023 data from the national report. Buyer and season notes were compiled on the same date.
How we made this page
County output, area and rank come from the KNBS National Agriculture Production Report 2023 to 2024. Rank compares Lamu with the counties that report the product. Yield is output divided by area. Trend charts use the same report’s five-year tables.
Planting seasons follow the FEWS NET Kenya country book, which cites a 2024 Ministry of Agriculture official. Zone details come from the 2019 national strategy (ASTGS), explained in our AEZ guide.
Buyer names come from four sources. One is third-party research for Agcenture. The others are the Coffee Directorate Year Book, Brookside’s supplier page and the Kenya Dairy Board register. Prices come from KAMIS. We have not verified each buyer. Tell us if something is wrong.
Written and maintained by the Agcenture editorial team. Report a correction on WhatsApp.
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