By Nicholas Waitathu
The government in collaboration with stakeholders plans to distribute over 20 million coffee seedlings across the country to steadily boost coffee production.
Cooperatives Principal Secretary Dr. Patrick Kilemi says the seedlings are part of plans to grow coffee production to levels last witnessed in the late 1980s.
In 1987/88 coffee year, Kenya reached her peak production of 129,000 metric tonnes but has since to between 30,000 metric tonnes and 50,000 metric tonnes annually currently, due introduction of Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs) by Bretton Wood institutions, bad governance, stiff competition from other beverages, inadequate funding and effects of climate change.
Dr. Kilemi says production has started picking up and income to farmers has equally improved with some growers earning over Ksh 130 per kilo of cherry.
“As we speak today, our production is going up. We are looking at closing this year at numbers of between 60,000MT and 70,000MT. The target is to get to upwards of 150,000 metric tonnes within the next three years,” he said.
Distribution of seedlings to farmers especially in new coffee frontiers is expected to anchor growth in production.
“Kenya’s recovery will depend on raising yields per bush and expanding acreage. While the average bush produces less than two kilograms, some farmers adhering to good agricultural practices achieve up to 50 kilos. If we can raise yields to 20 kilograms per bush and expand acreage, cumulative output could rise tenfold,” said Dr. Kilemi.
So far, the government through the New Kenya Planters Cooperative Union (New KPCU) has distributed over 800,000 seedlings to about 4,000 farmers.
“Our target is to extend sensitization to all 33 coffee-growing regions in Kenya, ensuring no farmer is left behind. We have also set a bold goal to distribute 20 million coffee seedlings across the country – an investment in the next generation of Kenyan coffee,” he said during the celebrations of International Coffee Day organised by New KPCU at Kenya Utalii College in Nairobi.
New KPCU Managing Director Timothy Mirugi says his organisation is upgrading milling facilities, improving traceability, and modernizing financial systems.
“Through the Cherry Advance Fund, we are providing farmers with access to fair and timely financing, reducing the pressure to sell their crop prematurely. And we are building partnerships—with government, cooperatives, international buyers, researchers, and development partners—to ensure that we move forward together,” said Mirugi.