Coffee Cherry Fund disburse Sh8.6 billion  to growers in seven years

The Mountain Journal

editor@themountainjournal.co.ke

Already 1,694 coffee farmers  have received Sh93.3 million from the Coffee Cherry Fund kitty sourced from the New KPCU last month.

In a report,  New KPCU between May 19 and May 26, disbursed the amount  to growers affiliated to cooperative societies  in 17 counties, where farmers from Gatukuyu farmers cooperative society in Kiambu received Sh7.2 million, the highest during the duration.

The Managing Director Timothy Mirugi said by May 25, more than 571,211 farmers had benefited with Sh8,648,795,658  from the kitty established in 2019.

In the report, Mirugi reflected the counties that benefited with the kitty are 

Baringo,  Embu, Kericho, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Kisii, Machakos, Meru among others.

The cherry fund uptake, he said, has increased by Sh 4,393,918,364 as per May 13, last year.

“More farmers are still applying to get the cherry advance fund to support coffee farming focusing on increased production,” said Mirugi.

Kiambu farmers since inception of the kitty have received  Nyeri Sh 1.342 billion, Sh1.114 billion, Kirinyaga Sh 1.023 billion, Kericho Sh718.7 million, Murang’a Sh 702.2 million, West Pokot Sh750 million, Bungoma Sh 588.8 million.

Homa bay has received the least Sh400,000  followed by Busia Sh 2 million.

.Henry Koech Boit, a farmer in Kericho said they are planting coffee in large quantities focusing on increased production.

“ We are busy sourcing coffee seedlings from the certified nursery operators eager to overtake the traditional  coffee growing in production,” said Koech.