Kenya’s Ambitious Plan to Triple Coffee Production by 2028

The Kenyan Government aims to escalate coffee production from 50,000 to 150,000 metric tonnes by 2028, investing Sh500 million in training and support for farmers. Kakamega County is the pilot area for this initiative, which includes training 1,200 individuals and providing financial assistance through the Coffee Cherry Advance Revolving Fund. The program emphasizes coffee’s market potential as a poverty alleviation strategy, despite previous funding disparities.

The Government of Kenya has announced an ambitious plan to increase the country’s coffee production from 50,000 metric tonnes to 150,000 metric tonnes by 2028. Wycliffe Oparanya, the Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives, Micro, Small, Medium and Enterprises Development, highlighted this initiative during a forum in Kakamega aimed at revitalizing the coffee and dairy sectors, asserting that coffee is becoming a transformative crop in the agricultural landscape.

To support this goal, the government has allocated Sh500 million in this year’s budget for both coffee and dairy sectors. As part of the initiative, nearly 5,000 aspiring coffee farmers will receive free training and certified coffee seedlings. Kakamega County has been designated as a pilot area for this program, with plans to train 1,200 youths and women on effective coffee farming practices.

Currently, 1,700 farmers have prepared 1,400 acres in Likuyani Sub County for coffee cultivation. Oparanya encouraged farmers to join cooperatives to avail themselves of governmental assistance. He also introduced the Coffee Cherry Advance Revolving Fund (CCARF), which aims to provide accessible financial support for smallholder coffee farmers.

Despite the funding efforts, Oparanya expressed concerns that Kakamega County received only Sh1.7 million from the Cherry Fund, in stark contrast to the Sh368 million allocated to Bungoma County out of the total Sh7.7 billion disbursed to coffee farmers nationally last year. He emphasized the importance of diversifying farming practices to improve livelihoods, noting that, “We are not forcing anybody to plant coffee, but I can assure you that coffee is a game changer that can help tackle high poverty levels in this region.”

Additionally, he highlighted the significant market value of coffee, stating, “Do you know when you transport a lorry full of coffee to the Nairobi Stock Exchange, you need a police escort?” This comparison with maize illustrates coffee’s lucrative potential. The New Kenya Planters Cooperative Union (KPCU) is playing a crucial role in revitalizing coffee farming practices and enhancing the marketing of Kenyan coffee globally.

The Government of Kenya is committed to tripling coffee production within the next five years, with significant investments in training, financial support, and cooperative development. The vision includes empowering local farmers, particularly in Kakamega County, to enhance their agricultural practices. While challenges remain regarding equitable funding distribution, the initiative holds promise for transforming the agricultural landscape and alleviating poverty in the region.

Original Source: www.kenyanews.go.ke