This archive report was first published on 9 December 2019.
Kenya's coffee farmers are set to receive a major boost in the new year, with the government's Sh. 2 billion Coffee Cherry Advance fund expected to be ready by the end of January 2020.
According to Trade and Industrialisation Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya, the fund will enable farmers to access money directly, eliminating the need for intermediaries and ensuring that they receive fair prices for their produce.
Munya made the announcement during a visit to the Sagana Kenya Planters Co-operative Union (KPCU) stores in Kirinyaga, where he emphasized the importance of addressing the challenges facing coffee farmers.
'We are developing a strategy to deal with the challenges facing our coffee farmers today,' he said. 'The government will have its part to fulfill, and farmers are also expected to be involved and fulfill their part.'
He noted that the cherry advance fund will enable farmers to carry out their work without stress, and repay the loan easily after the actual proceeds from their crop are released.
However, Munya warned that the government will not tolerate any attempts to divert the funds, and that every farmer will be issued with a card to access the money.
He also called on County Governments to take up the challenges facing coffee farmers and add to what the National Government is doing to address the issues.
Published on December 9, 2019
