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. PREMIUM Tana River's irony of food scarcity in a land of plenty The county also boasts of a 79km coastal strip in Kipini. PREMIUM 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 Dutchman, Kenyan woman clash over Sh2.2m ‘love’ gift ends in court PREMIUM Court saves taxpayers Sh120bn in Moi-era supplier claim PREMIUM Why Gachagua’s DCP is not ready to work with Ukombozi coalition PREMIUM Asbestos trap in top schools 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 Dutchman, Kenyan woman clash over Sh2.2m ‘love’ gift ends in court Woman claims the money was voluntarily given as gifts during their relationship. IEBC expands diaspora voting to 26 countries Commission chairman says mapping of more countries has been approved to boost participation by Kenyans abroad. PREMIUM Why tap water is turning green in homes around Lake Victoria Lake that feeds taps, fishermen and millions of livelihoods across East Africa is getting greener.
PREMIUM Tana River's irony of food scarcity in a land of plenty The county also boasts of a 79km coastal strip in Kipini.
PREMIUM 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 Dutchman, Kenyan woman clash over Sh2.2m ‘love’ gift ends in court Woman claims the money was voluntarily given as gifts during their relationship.
IEBC expands diaspora voting to 26 countries Commission chairman says mapping of more countries has been approved to boost participation by Kenyans abroad.
PREMIUM Why tap water is turning green in homes around Lake Victoria Lake that feeds taps, fishermen and millions of livelihoods across East Africa is getting greener.
