Concerted efforts by partners in coffee
growing in Kandara, Murang’a has transformed farming leading to increased
production in the past two years.
In the partnership between Coffee Management
Services (CMS), Nestle Kenya, and the factory is celebrated over the positive the transformation that has impacted to high production.
Chairman of the society Mr Peter Njoroge said
in the past, the society had been struggling to increase the production but
failed due to lack of effective coordination by the players.
Gakui factory with 588 active members, Njoroge
said three years ago rose from production 45,000 kilogrammes to last year
283,000 kilogrammes, out of which 85 percent were quality grades.
“In the partnership both CMS and Nestle have
attached an agronomist in the society office who moves around the farms
checking on the status of farming,” said Njoroge.
Gakui factory, he observed was the first in
Murang’a to have a resident agronomist after Murang’a County Government failed
to post agriculture extension officers.
Last year (2020/2012), the farmers were paid
at the rate of Sh68.50 up from the previous of Sh40.20.
In the year 2018/2019, the society released
payment to growers at the rate of Sh62.25
Boniface Murichu a farmer said he used to
harvest 350 kilogrammes and last year managed 1,400 kilogrammes.
“I used to get fewer kilogrammes but with an
introduction to best farming practices am eying to get above 1,800
kilogrammes,” said Murichu.
More importantly, Murichu said the farmers are
encouraged to involve women and youth in the coffee value chain.
A farmer Ms Milka Nyambura said with best
farming practice the society members’ projects to produce 500,000 kilogrammes
of cherry.
Nyambura a leading farmer said in 2018
produced 1,200 kilogrammes, and last year 2,080 kilogrammes.
“This year I target to deliver not less than
3,000 kilogrammes although there has been a lot of rain,” said Nyambura.
A manager with CMS Ms Phylis Warui said this
year they target to get 9.4 million kilogrammes of coffee, from 17,000
contracted farmers.
She explained last year they received 8.4
million kilogrammes from the growers.
“In the partnership growers are assisted with
farm inputs, health education and include nutrition among others” said
Warui.
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