Caption for the landscape image: The rise and fall of Hola’s cotton empire Friday, August 08, 2025 Scroll down to read the article Cotton farmers from pastoralist communities at Hola Irrigation Scheme inspect their farms. Photo credit: Stephen Oduor | Nation Media Group By Stephen Oduor Correspondent Nation Media Group Summary Article Related What you need to know: Before the year 2000, Hola thrived on a flourishing cotton industry anchored by the renowned Hola Cotton Ginnery.t its peak in the 1970s, the ginnery processed nearly half of Kenya’s cotton, drawing produce from Hola and Bura. Once a town on the rise in Tana River County, Hola stood at the cusp of prosperity before its fortunes dramatically changed. Before the year 2000, Hola thrived on a flourishing cotton industry anchored by the renowned Hola Cotton Ginnery. Tana River's irony of food scarcity in a land of plenty The county also boasts of a 79km coastal strip in Kipini. Hardy rice variety brings hope to Hola farmers The rice variety can withstand the area’s semi-arid climate and has better yields compared to other varieties. Uncharted irrigation path that could tackle chronic food insecurity Investing extensively in food production such as irrigation farming is one of President William Ruto’s main recommendations for reducing reliance on rain-fed agriculture . Recommended for you PREMIUM Why 7,000 land disputes remain stuck at NLC PREMIUM Cops gone rogue: Inside a trail of jailbreaks PREMIUM Sh500m fines, parental consent: New tough social media rules for children, providers PREMIUM Why NPSC rejected Kiganjo boss Nyale Munga’s bid to stay beyond 60 Login to join the discussion Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. In the headlines Elections News Counties Business Opinion Sports Life & Style Health Podcasts Photos Newsletters Puzzles PREMIUM Why MPs want a say in village elders’ selection MPs' push exposes battle for control of 106,000-strong grassroots army ahead of 2027 elections. PREMIUM What next for Matiang’i as Ongwae’s new party raises stakes in Gusii Ongwae says his party believes in neither the “one-term” nor the “two-term” narrative. PREMIUM Over 40 and still jobless: The plight of teachers locked out of TSC jobs Some have fallen into depression, while others turn to manual jobs to survive.
Tana River's irony of food scarcity in a land of plenty The county also boasts of a 79km coastal strip in Kipini.
Hardy rice variety brings hope to Hola farmers The rice variety can withstand the area’s semi-arid climate and has better yields compared to other varieties.
Uncharted irrigation path that could tackle chronic food insecurity Investing extensively in food production such as irrigation farming is one of President William Ruto’s main recommendations for reducing reliance on rain-fed agriculture
PREMIUM Why MPs want a say in village elders’ selection MPs' push exposes battle for control of 106,000-strong grassroots army ahead of 2027 elections.
PREMIUM What next for Matiang’i as Ongwae’s new party raises stakes in Gusii Ongwae says his party believes in neither the “one-term” nor the “two-term” narrative.
PREMIUM Over 40 and still jobless: The plight of teachers locked out of TSC jobs Some have fallen into depression, while others turn to manual jobs to survive.
