This archive report was first published on 25 June 2020.
June 25, 2020
Twenty-three coffee cooperative societies in Kiambu have joined forces to revive the ailing sector, which has seen once-lush coffee plantations turned into multi-billion housing estates.
The societies will form the Kiambu County Coffee Farmers Association, allowing them to jointly procure inputs, process, and market their coffee.
Speaking at Gatukuyu Farmers Cooperative Society in Gatundu North, Governor James Nyoro said the 23 societies will enjoy economies of scale through bulk buying of farm inputs and shared agronomy support.
“We could have five or 10 agronomists going around the county, reducing expenses for farmers instead of each society hiring its own,” said Nyoro, an agricultural economist.
The county plans to distribute 750 tonnes of fertiliser at a cost of Sh40 million to the 23 cooperative societies, which will in turn distribute the same to active farmers.
According to Nyoro, the second phase of the coffee sector revitalisation will involve rehabilitating dilapidated fermentation tanks, drying beds, and other facilities in the primary processing facilities.
The county is also running a project with the World Bank, where it will contribute Sh70 million within two years, with the bank injecting Sh140 million for the Coffee Revival Action Programme in the next financial year.
