The Mountain Journal
Race to increase coffee production takes off in Mt Kenya region, with leaders visiting their backyard encouraging coffee farmers to increase production to match with the required capacity in the market.
The leaders from the counties of Murang’a. Kirinyaga, and Kiambu over the weekend toured their backyards mobilizing the farmers on the need to appreciate the expanding coffee market.
In Murang’a, MPs Peter Kihungi (Kangema), Edwin Mugo (Mathioya) and Joseph Munyoro (Kigumo) said there was need for the farmers to increase the production of the commodity following demand for 700 metric tonnes by Java Coffee Company.
Speaking separately, the leaders called on the youth to actively participate in attending the crop in their parents’ farms, in efforts to increase the production.
Presently, Kenyans coffee markets are through direct sale and the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE).
Murang’a projects to increase production to 80,000 metric tonnes from the present 30 million kilogrammes.The leaders
Mugo said the residents have applauded the government’s decision to set aside Sh4 billion to cushion coffee farmers from poor prices with a kilogramme trading at not less than Sh80.
He said the fund approved by the cabinet will see coffee prices increase from as low as Sh20 per kilogram to Sh80 per kilogram through the Coffee Cherry Advance fund that was launched five years ago.
“Farmers have been complaining for months following the poor prices their produce has been attracting owing to reforms in the sector that has seen many marketers withdraw their services while the few who remained in operation quoted dismal prices,” said Mugo when he spoke at Kamacharia Girls High School.
Mugo added that leaders from the coffee growing belts have petitioned President William Ruto, and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua to consider waiving debts accrued by coffee cooperative societies that continue to eat into farmers’ earnings.
That, he explained, can only happen if the Coffee Bill 2023 that seeks to streamline the sector and the Co-operatives bill are passed.
Kigumo MP who was among the MPs from the coffee growing belts who lobbied for Sh4 billion in the sector said the kitty will go a long way in empowering farmers.
The farmers who sold coffee in the last season, Munyoro said, will receive Sh80 per kilogram, as an advance from the fund. This money is not refundable”, said Munyoro adding that thousands of growers will benefit.
The MP said with the trend the coffee market has a bright future anticipating a kilogramme will fetch above Sh150 in the shortest time.
“ There is a need for all to play their role focusing on increased production to satisfy the international market,” said Munyoro.
The Kangema MP said there is need for the youth to assist their parents in attending the coffee farmers instead of idling in the market centres.
Kihungi said the youth have a role to play in wealth creation instead of being lured into joining criminal gangs.
“ Also the parents should subdivide their land and share it with their children as part of promoting self-responsibility and supporting coffee farming,” said Kihungi.
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