Council of Governors (COG) Chairperson Anne Waiguru has pledged to support
ongoing National government’s initiatives to revamp coffee sector in the Country.
Waiguru welcomed the roll-out of the Coffee Cherry Advance Revolving Fund saying the
kitty will go a long way in providing affordable, sustainable and accessible cherry
advance to small holder coffee growers.
The governor said the initiative which echoes the Guarantee Minimum Returns policy
that was promised to coffee farmers by the Kenya Kwanza administration is in line with
the Bottom-up- Economic Transformation Agenda.
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“We also appreciate the government’s effort in enhancing the fund to the current Ksh. 4
billion to allow for a wider reach to our farmers, both the ones selling through our
registered coffee cooperative societies or the small holder coffee estates with milling
agreement with a registered miller in Kenya,” Waiguru added.
In a statement read by her Deputy David Githanda, during meeting to sensitize farmers
on the revolving fund at General Kassam Stadium, in Kianyaga, Waiguru however
called for further enhancement of the Coffee Cherry Advance Revolving Fund. She said
the Kshs. 4 billion allocated may not be able to adequately cover the farmers
requirements.
While appreciating the efforts made by the government to restore the coffee sector,
Waiguru noted that the cherry production in Kirinyaga alone may go beyond 60 million
kgs of cherry and therefore additional funding would be required if this is replicated in
other counties.
She said her administration is supporting farmers to increase coffee production through
easy access to the Government’s subsidized fertilizer and other farm inputs, extension
services, marketing and value addition.
“As the county government we will continue supporting our farmers in adoption of good
agricultural practices that will enable them not only increase on production but also in
producing high grade cherry that will fetch them better pay,” she said.
The governor noted that the department of Agriculture has established coffee nurseries
with Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate (KEPHIS) certification to help coffee growers get
the best variety for planting so as to increase production.
Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises Simon
Chelugui said enhancement of revolving kitty was part of government’s efforts to
restoring the coffee sector’s glory.
He said the Coffee Cherry Advance Revolving Fund will enable farmers to receive Sh
80 up from Sh 20 per kilo.
The CS asked farmers to support reforms initiatives being undertaken by the
government so as to revamp the sector.
He said the sensitization fora is part of the government initiative to revamp and restore
the sector’s glory.
