Farmers toast best coffee payout

The Mountain Journal

editor@themountainjournal.co.ke
Coffee farmers in Kirinyaga have a reason to smile following the release of huge payout
rates for the 2024/2025 season.
Already 27 coffee factories out of the 75 wet mills have announced a payout of between
Ksh100 and Ksh.145 per kilogramme for the cherry.

The factories that have declared their rates their coffee is brokered by Alliance Berries and Kirinyaga Slopes.
Gacami Coffee factory under the Baragwi Farmers Cooperative Society made the
highest payout of Ksh.145.10 per Kilogramme followed by Karumandi at Ksh.144.30,
Mukure Ksh.144.25, Mucagara Ksh.143.80, Kii Ksh.142.35, Guama Ksh.141.80,
Karimikui Ksh.141.13, Kiang’ombe Ksh.141.05, Kiangoi Ksh.140.51 and Nyanja
Ksh.140.50.
Officials of the cooperatives, farmers and leaders have attributed the huge payout to
support from the government especially in provision of subsidized farm input, training
and marketing of the produce.
The success has also been attributed to reforms in the coffee subsector that allowed the
farmers to sell their coffee directly to buyers at the Nairobi Coffee auction.
The County Government has helped the 14 cooperative societies register the Kirinyaga
Slopes Coffee Brokerage Company Limited which has been licensed by Capital Markets
Authority (CMA).
Governor Waiguru said her coffee sector revitalization initiative was paying off with
farmers getting more money in their pockets.
Waiguru termed the payouts as “impressive” adding that her administration will continue
with its farmer centric and whole value chain driven interventions that will deliver quick
and sustainable wins for the farmer.
“Our coffee farmers are beginning to enjoy the fruits of their labour, with impressive
cherry payouts this season. Our county-level interventions, from extension services to
cooperative strengthening, together with national government support on coffee reforms
and subsidized farm inputs, are delivering real impact. When we work together, the
farmer wins,” Waiguru said.
Joyce Wanjiku, Chairperson of Rungeto Farmers Cooperative Society said application
of best agricultural practices resulting from training and timely availability of farm inputs
like the government’s subsidized fertilizer had played a great role in the rise in prices of
coffee.

“I am very pleased that farmers have received better payout, this is a clear indication
that our hardworking farmers are finally being rewarded. The direct sale of coffee at the

auction initiative spearheaded by Governor Anne Waiguru has given us a greater say in
sale of our coffee,” said Wanjiku.
Cyrus Chomba, Baragwi Farmers Cooperative Society manager said the quality of
coffee delivered in all its 12 factories had also improved thus enabling it to fetch higher
prices at the auction.
Chomba lauded farmers for their hardwork and applying agriculture best practices to
deliver increased yield and quality bean to the factory.
“As a cooperative we have also been able to reduce on the cost of processing the bean
having installed solar dryers that have also helped use in early delivery of the produce
to the miller,” he said.
He said the last mile subsidized fertilizer initiative by the County government is one of
the factors that had helped farmers realize increased production.
Simon Muriithi, a Director at Gacami coffee factory said deployment of agronomists to
train and support farmers, transportation of subsidized fertilizer to coffee factories by the
county government had contributed to reduced cost of production thus earning farmers
more money.

“The county government, through Baragwi Cooperative, has helped us in storing our
produce, thus minimizing post-harvest losses. Additionally, they provided subsidized
fertilizer in a timely manner, which was crucial,” he added.
The County has been facilitating transportation of the subsidized fertilizers to 28 coffee
factories selected from across the 14 registered coffee cooperative societies. Five of the
societies have already announced their 2024/25 payout rates. The societies include;
Baragwi, Kabare, Rung’eto, Mwirua and New Ngariama. The County produces an
average of 40,000 tons of coffee annually earning farmers around Ksh. 2.8 billion.
Farmers have expressed excitement over the high payout saying there is hope that
coffee farming could return to its profitability.
“I am extremely grateful this time because our cooperative, under Baragwi, has
achieved an impressive payout of Ksh.145.10 per kilogram, one of the highest. We are
hopeful this trend will continue,” Josphat Gachoki, a farmer and member of Gacami
Coffee Factory.
“We urge the county government to keep supporting us with essential inputs and
resources. We also appreciate the continued knowledge we are receiving through
county-appointed agronomists. Having access to this training is helping us adopt new
techniques that make coffee farming more profitable,” added Lydiah Wanjira, another
farmer and member of Rung’eto Cooperative.

David Nyaga another farmer from Rung’eto Cooperative expressed optimism that with
the support from the government to lower cost of farm inputs, coffee prices will continue
to rise.
“This year’s payout has been very good, and we are hopeful that the prices will continue
to rise. The cooperative’s management, together with the county government, has been
instrumental, particularly in the provision of inputs, which has led to better harvests,”
said Nyaga.