The Mountain Journal
Coffee cooperative societies in Murang’a are competing on production of quality coffee as a strategy to uplifting farmers living standard
The management of Gatagua and Kahuhia farmers cooperative societies in the past three years have been working on strategies to uplift farmers’ social and economic status through increase of quality coffee.
Speaking during the celebrations of the 7th anniversary of Gatagua Agro Marketing Cooperative Society in Kahuro sub county, the farmers were advised that Kenya coffee has interested the globe, thus need to increase production of quality coffee.
In the anniversary celebration, the Managing Director of Alliance Berries Limited Mr Peter Githinji, expressed worry over the low production of the commodity in the country despite the increased demand worldwide.
Githinji celebrated Gatagua society leadership for steering the organisation to success and emerged the best paying at the rate of Sh 143 per kg of cherry in the 2025/2026 season.
“ All the buyers are yawning for the Kenya coffee, but the majority of the farmers are yet to follow the procedures recommended to increase the production per coffee tree. The majority of the growers produce an average three kgs per tree instead of the potential of between 15kgs and 20kgs,” said Githinji.
He said the two societies were bench-marking with Rung’eto and Baragwi coffee cooperative societies in Kirinyaga county where farmers mint millions of Shillings annually from coffee.
Gatagua Society Chairman Nahason Chege appreciated the farmers for the production of 744,261 kgs of clean coffee that generated above Sh 106 million between October and April.
“We started off with less than 40,000 kgs seven years ago, and determination of the farmers is appreciated, hoping in 2026/2027 we shall break the record of producing a million kgs,” said Mr Chege.
Chege called for the removal of the proposed taxation of coffee and tea at five percent saying the trend will sabotage the coffee societies.
“ The MPs from coffee growing areas should listen to the cry of the farmers and ensure the proposed taxation was removed, and ensure the promised subsidy fertilizer was available to the coffee farmers in the villages,” said Chege.
Wanjengi factory in Kahuhia society , Godffery Kanyiri said they retained the trophy for best coffee payment for four years, and in this season they were defeated by Gatagua.
“ This season Wanjengi factory achieved a rate of Sh 134 per kgs, thus losing to Gatagua,” said Kanyiri, also the Kahuhia society chairman.
Coffee Agronomist John Chege warned farmers against spaying the banned chemicals, to help achieve the best production per tree.
“ Also spray the recommended chemicals, and apply the fertilisers at the right time to achieve the best results, thus the best quality,” said Chege.
