Why these comrades are asked to pick coffee and ‘marrry’

Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT) has introduced coffee picking competition as a way of encouraging students interaction and make some coins as well.

In addition, the varsity organised a mock wedding to prepare its Tourism and Hospitality Management final students for life outside lecture halls.

The coffee harvesting competition held recently in the varsity’s coffee shamba netted 650 debes (10, 400 kilogrammes), an increase from 543 debes (8, 688 kilogrammes) harvested in October.

The harvesters were paid Sh100 per debe for the eight hours’ task. The winner, a third year student made Sh800 for 128 kilogrammes he harvested (equivalent of eight debes)

“It is intended to bring students together, fuse them and prepare them for the outside world. They expressed excitement as they took part in the competition.

The activity gave some a first time experience in coffee harvesting and an opportunity to interact outside the lecture rooms in a fun way while making money”, a DeKUT official told Campus Vibe.

He said the university has taken initiative to also educate area community, largely coffee farmers on matters value addition to the and the whole coffee chain from seed to the end product.