This archive report was first published on 8 June 2020.
Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) depots are set to become a one-stop shop for coffee farmers seeking subsidized farm inputs, following a directive by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya.
According to Munya, a 50 kg bag of fertilizer that was previously retailing at Sh.2,800 will now cost only Sh.2,000 from the KNTC depots.
The move aims at eliminating brokers and middlemen, who have been exploiting farmers by charging exorbitant prices for essential inputs.
As part of the reforms, Munya also announced plans to rehabilitate the three Kenya Planters Cooperative Union (KPCU) mills at Dandora, Meru, and Sagana at a cost of Sh.1.5 million.
The mills, which have the capacity to mill coffee from the entire country and East Africa region, will be equipped with modern machinery to improve efficiency and reduce losses.
Additionally, farmers will be able to access up to 40% of the cost of cherry delivered per season ahead of sale, under the Sh. 3 billion Coffee Cherry Advance Program.
Representatives of coffee cooperative societies present at the meeting assured the CS of their support for the reforms, which aim to improve the livelihoods of farmers.
