This archive report was first published on 7 June 2020.
June 7, 2020
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya has revealed plans to modernize coffee factories in Kenya to improve the quality of coffee and boost returns for farmers.
Speaking to leaders of various coffee cooperative societies from Nyeri County, Munya noted that the quality of coffee is compromised at various stages, including processing and storage.
He attributed the low prices of coffee to the use of obsolete processing machines in factories, which he said would be replaced with modern equipment.
The government has set aside funds to undertake the modernization process, with Munya assuring farmers that they would not be expected to meet the costs.
“Though the funds are not adequate, we will start with one or two factories in each society but gradually we will reach all factories,” Munya said.
The Cabinet Secretary also addressed concerns over the Cherry Advance Revolving Fund (CARF), which is currently being implemented to ensure farmers access credit facilities before payment of their coffee deliveries.
He disclosed that the CARF is being managed by the new Kenya Coffee Producers and Exporters (KPCU), which has been revamped to ensure the interests of farmers are guarded and misappropriation of its resources curbed.
Munya further urged coffee cooperative society leaders to digitize their factories to ensure optimal use of equipment and prevent losses due to inaccurate weighing machines.
He also announced plans to computerize and network all coffee societies’ headquarters to ensure efficiency and quick delivery of services.
The government is working closely with the Kenya National Trading Corporation to bring farm inputs closer to farmers, with Munya assuring that farmers would not be compelled to sell coffee through the new KPCU or be milled by the entity.
