The Mountain Journal
editor@themountainjournal.co.ke
Coffee farmers affiliated to Wanjengi coffee factory in Murang’a hold monthly meetings focusing on acquiring knowledge to uplift their farming management and increase production.
In the monthly meetings, the farmers interact with experts in the coffee value chain including agronomists, auction experts, administrators among others.
Last year, Wanjengi factory was awarded the best coffee factory in Murang’a after it paid the highest at Sh 141 per kilogramme delivered as the farmers shared Sh130 million.
Factory Chairman Godfrey Kanyiri said the monthly meetings are geared towards an increase of production with an estimation of 3 million kilogrammes in next three years.
He said they produced 900,000 kgs, with the expectation to triple the production.
“ We are working to increase production per coffee tree to more than six kilogrammes up from the two kilogrammes,” said Kanyiri.
In the meeting, Alliance Berries Limited CEO Peter Githinji urged the farmers to increase production of quality coffee to satisfy the expanding market abroad.
The coffee buyers, he said, are interested with the quality, thus the need for the growers to use the recommended farming practises to achieve the best grades.
“We are looking for the coffee to sell as the market expands, thus the need for the farmers to concentrate on production of quality and quantity,” said Githinji, an expert in coffee auction.
Githinji appealed to the youth to venture in coffee farming and to support the parents by focusing at increased production.
“ With the focus on increased production, the youth sit in a better position to venture in farming and address the gaps,” said Githinji.
Jane Wambui a farmer said the management had implored the strategies to increase production with services of the agronists providers by buyer.
“ Over the years the production was low but since we started the interaction meetings the situation has changed with the number of farmers producing the least quantity reducing,” she said.
Agronomist John Chege said the farmers are supposed to ensure they prune, apply chemicals at the right time.
“ There is a coffee calendar that must be adhered to ensure the farmers reap maximum benefits from their investment,” said Chege.
Murang’a Cooperative CEC Kimani Mugo said Wanjengi farmers have emerged the best in the coffee value chain.
“The County Government is pleased with the performance of Wanjengi through the leadership of a committee led by Kanyiri which is focused on increased production and support for the farmers,” said Mugo.
