The Mountain Journal
Murang’a coffee farmers will share 495,850 kgs of lime recommended to freshen the soils and reduce acidity, thus leading to increased coffee production.
In a programme financed facilitated by the local county government, 37,000 farmers registered to benefit from the lime distribution programme, which ended on Saturday, designed to increase production per coffee by two kilogrammes annually.
The ambitious project initiated by Governor Irungu Kang’ata after consultation with coffee farmers is poised to increase income to Sh 476 million annually for the Murang’a farmers .
Governor Irungu Kang’ata said lime has the potential to generate additional income to the farmers while improving soil health, reduction of acidity, enhancing fertiliser efficiency and focusing at increasing coffee productivity across the county.
The county government yawned to convert the county to the production of 100,000 metric tonnes as it was in the 1980’s,, with a call to the youth to venture into coffee farming supporting their parents.
Kang’ata said in Murang’a, the average coffee production is approximately 2.36 kgs per tree, with anticipation with application of lime, there is a potential for a rise to between 10 and 15 kgs per tree.
“We have distributed 9,917 bags of lime for the application to 1,983,400 coffee trees and expect an additional 3,966,800kgs in 2026/2027,” said Kang’ata.
Kang’ata accompanied by the Agriculture CEC Kimani Mugo and his Chief Officer Dr Apollo Kamau met farmers cooperative societies who supported the concept for the distribution of lime outlining its importance.
Mugo said the farmers have been directed to apply 250 grammes per coffee tree, with the objective to increase production by two kilogramme per tree annually.
“This is a game changer and in the coming years Coffee will be a major income earner,” said Mugo.
John Chege an agronomist says the use of the lime is recommendable with the majority of the farmers using it to enrich their soils to absorb nutrients.
“ After the lengthy use of synthetic fertilizers the lime will help the soils consume the nutrients among the calcium, magnesium readily available in the soils,” said Chege.
Coffee Societies leaders Nahason Chege and Godfrey Kanyiri of Gatagua and Kahuhia Cooperative Societies say farmers have been educated on the application of the lime as they thanked the county government for the support.
They said they have been inviting guests to motivate the farmers, a move that has assisted in the increased production since they assumed leadership mantle at the societies.
“ We have registered increased production over the years owing to guidance of the experts with growers appreciating the efforts,” said Kanyiri.
