Nyeri County partners with KPCU to boost coffee production

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Nyeri County has announced a partnership with the new Kenya Planters Co-operative Union (KPCU) in an effort to boost coffee production.

Governor Mutahi Kahiga said the county will create an enabling environment to spur economic progress for the benefit of the Nyeri coffee farmers.

“My administration is committed to working with trusted millers and traders like the new KPCU to ensure farmers get the best value from the cash crop,” he said.

Kahiga stated that the partnership will help in establishing coffee farm demos in coffee growing areas within the county, support coffee nurseries to promote the production of certified coffee seedlings and revamp coffee factories.

“Through this partnership we shall introduce programs that will engage the youth and women into the cash crop farming, investing in coffee research and promoting transparency by providing both local and international coffee prices to farmers,” he said.

He added that through the county agriculture department has purchased lime, fertilizer and good-quality coffee seedlings for the farmers.

“Following the concern over low production of coffee due to poor farming practices that have degraded soil quality, the county has procured three soil testing machines to help improve the soil quality,” he said.

New KPCU led by Chairman Daniel Chemno, who was accompanied by Managing Director Timothy Mirugi and members of the management board, said they were committed to reviving the sector.

“Kenyan coffee has lost a big share of the global market and we aim to revive it and restore the glory and dignity of farmers,” he said.

He noted it was part of the targeted programs by President William Ruto in the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) model to spur quick economic growth.

“Kenyan coffee is highly sought as a specialty coffee but annual production has dropped from 50,000 metric tonnes to 40,000 metric tonnes. Our farmers need to go back to the farm and we shall mill and market their coffee,” he said.