NAIROBI, Kenya – The government has allocated Sh500 million in the supplementary budget to support the propagation and distribution of coffee seedlings to farmers in a bid to revitalize Kenya’s coffee sector.
This initiative aims to boost coffee production across the country, with 20 million high-yielding seedlings set to be distributed annually to coffee farmers in all coffee-growing regions.
Patrick Kilemi, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Cooperatives, made the announcement during a meeting with coffee farmers in Murang’a on Friday.
He revealed that the Coffee Research Institute (CRI) and the New Kenya Planters Cooperative Union (New KPCU) will take on the responsibility of propagating the seedlings.
This reform is part of a broader government strategy to address challenges in the sector, including low production, aging coffee bushes, and the need for formal training among farmers.
Kilemi pointed out that despite Kenya’s historical prominence as a coffee producer, the country’s output remains low compared to its regional neighbors.
“Last year, Kenya produced 50,000 metric tons of coffee, while Uganda and Ethiopia produced 400,000 and 750,000 metric tons, respectively,” he said.
He noted that one of the key factors contributing to the low yield is the prevalence of old coffee bushes, which have become unproductive after reaching 20 years of age.
The government’s focus on rejuvenating the sector by providing high-yielding seedlings is expected to increase production by more than ten times, with properly nurtured coffee bushes capable of producing up to 40 kilos per bush.
As part of its efforts to further support coffee farmers, the government is also addressing issues related to fertilizer distribution and pest control.
The New KPCU has been tasked with sourcing fertilizer from the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) and ensuring it is accessible to farmers through coffee factories.
Additionally, the government is offering a 40% subsidy on chemicals used to control diseases and pests that affect coffee crops.
The PS also highlighted the economic potential of revitalizing the coffee sector, noting that the global coffee trade is valued at around $600 billion, with Kenya earning Sh33 billion from coffee exports in 2023.
Kilemi expressed confidence that with proper management and increased production, coffee could surpass tea as Kenya’s leading agricultural export, contributing up to Sh1 trillion to the national economy in the near future.
To further boost farmers’ income, the government has allocated Sh6.8 billion to clear coffee debts, a financial burden that has long affected the sector.
This will alleviate the strain on farmers and ensure that they benefit from increased payments for their produce.
“By August, the debts will be cleared, and farmers will be relieved from the financial burden,” Kilemi assured.
Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata also pledged his administration’s support for local coffee farmers.
He announced that his government would allocate funds in the upcoming financial year to help increase coffee production.
Kang’ata revealed that a team from his administration would visit the USA and China next month to explore new markets for Murang’a coffee, further improving prospects for local farmers.
In a positive sign for the sector, Kang’ata shared that coffee factories in Murang’a have paid farmers an average of Sh115 per kilo this year, a significant increase from previous years when the price was as low as Sh20.
He praised the government’s reforms, which have resulted in better returns for farmers, and expressed his commitment to continuing support for the coffee sector.
However, not all farmers were in agreement with the government’s policies. Francis Ngone, a local farmer, urged the government to reconsider the Direct Settlement System (DSS), which requires coffee farmers to receive payments directly from factories.
Ngone argued that this system could disrupt the operations of cooperative societies, which play a critical role in the coffee farming process.
