Coffee farmers oppose new payment proposal

Cooperatives Principal Secretary Patrick Kilemi speaking at General Ihura Stadium in Murang’a County. [Boniface Gikandi, Standard]

The controversial proposal of paying coffee farmers through the Direct Settlement System (DSS) has been rejected by the growers.

The coffee farmers in Murang’a and Kiambu now want the government to abandon the plan to bypass the cooperative societies in the payment.

During a meeting at General Ihura stadium in Murang’a, Cooperative Principal Secretary Patrick Kilemi bowed to the pressure, saying the government will allow the farmers to deliberate on the matter, as he emphasised increased production.

Led by the chairman of Kahuhia Cooperative Society Godfrey Kanyiri, the farmers told the government that it would be prudent to assist the growers increase production and stop misleading farmers on the pay points.

He said Kahuhia Society received Sh130 million through the DSS in the 2024-2025 crop year, while Wanjengi factory emerged as the best with a payment of Sh141.55 per kilogramme.

“First, waive the coffee debts to free the farmers. Issues on payment to farmers are handled effectively by the management committees,” said Kanyiri. Two weeks ago, President William Ruto, during the Mt Kenya development tour said that from June, farmers’ proceeds will be remitted directly through the mobile money system. Cooperatives of Kahuhia, Marumi, Kaganda and Mutheru were lauded for their remarkable performance in fronting better payment to the farmers.

Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata said the local management committees have been talking about effective leadership in the production of quality coffee. “On June 13-14, 2024, there will be the Murang’a Investment Conference where we shall engage the investors for the procurement of our cash crops and invest in the country, focusing on the vast industrial park,” said Kang’ata.

Kilemi said the matter surrounding the payment will be deliberated among farmers, as the government has allocated Sh500 million for quality coffee seedlings.

He said that annually, 20 million coffee seedlings will be distributed to the farmers. “To actualise the quality of coffee seedlings, the Coffee Research Institute will engage certified nursery operators for easy distribution to the farmers,” said the PS.