How government plans to revive coffee farming in Western Kenya

Cooperatives and MSME Development CS Wycliffe Oparanya (center) and Sirisia Mp John Waluke console's Marama North MCA Edwin Nandwa during burial service of his (Nandwa) mother Elena Nandwa at Ebutayi village in Buetre Sub-county on May 24, 2024. [Benjamin Sakwa/ Standard] The Ministry of Cooperatives and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development has distributed 400,000 free robusta coffee seedlings to farmers in Busia County. Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya stated that the free seedlings will boost coffee farming and production in Busia County. Speaking to coffee farmers at Busia ATC, Oparanya emphasised that the government is committed to restoring the country's former coffee production levels. Coffee production in Kenya began to decline in the 1990s. Last year, the country produced 51,000 metric tonnes of coffee, compared to Ethiopia's over 400,000 metric tonnes. Uganda produced over 200,000 tonnes, and Tanzania 70,000 tonnes. In the Western region, Busia County produced 39,580 kg of coffee, Bungoma 2,362,630 kg, Kakamega 33,470 kg, Vihiga 6,600 kg, and Siaya 1,500 kg during the 2023/2024 financial year. Oparanya noted that there are 33 counties in Kenya where coffee farming is practised, and the government is committed to establishing coffee milling plants in each of them. "With the support of KPCU, the government will establish a coffee milling plant," he said, adding that the existing coffee bill will ensure that farmers receive fair compensation. Oparanya also announced that farmers will be paid within five days instead of waiting three months. Furthermore, the payment will be made in US dollars. The CS mentioned that two youths from each of the 35 wards in Busia County will be trained by KPCU on coffee husbandry, after which they will help guide farmers on best practices for growing coffee. He assured local farmers of a ready market through KPCU, which will transport the produce to the Nairobi Stock Exchange. "The government has set aside KSh 8 billion as a cherry fund to assist small-scale farmers with advance payment at the rate of KSh 40 per kg delivered to the coffee mill before the coffee is auctioned," he said. He added, "We want the county government to identify 100 acres of land for a demonstration farm, and we will provide funding to start a research institute. We aim for Busia to be the headquarters for robusta coffee in Kenya." Busia County Deputy Governor Arthur Odera confirmed that the county has enough land to build a coffee research centre. "The county government has land available where a coffee research institute can be established, along with a coffee nursery for Busia County to supply seedlings throughout the western region. We have four options, and we are ready to welcome the technical team to assess and decide on the best location for the project," he said. He also mentioned that the county has 35 cooperatives and SACCOs that require significant capacity building, urging farmers to plant coffee in order to benefit more. "We have 2,500 coffee farmers working on 600 acres. We have seen our production decline from 89 tonnes to 33 tonnes. We need to encourage our farmers that coffee farming is profitable," he added. Busia Robusta Coffee Growers Chairman Leonard Murai praised the government for the initiative, saying that the seedlings would significantly improve coffee production in the county. "Robusta farmers have struggled for a long time. The world market for this type of coffee is currently high. One tree can produce more than 60 kg, and one acre can hold 500 plants. These seedlings will improve our coffee production, and with the current market price, our farmers will benefit," he said. Murai also noted that the price of coffee has been increasing compared to when they first started, and called on the government to continue supporting them. "In 2015, we were selling a kilogram for KSh 25, which then increased to KSh 50, and today we are selling at KSh 120. We want all our farmers to register so that we can have a larger number. We are the only county with a robusta coffee nursery in the region," he said. Silas Manyasa, a coffee farmer, stated that brokers were a key factor in the decline of coffee farming in the county. He expressed hope that the issuance of free seedlings would help revive the coffee industry in the region, as many more farmers would be encouraged to engage in coffee farming.

How government plans to revive coffee farming in Western Kenya

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