The government has announced a major milestone in the Coffee Revitalization Programme, with the New Kenya Planters Co-operative Union (New KPCU) Meru Branch distributing 160,000 certified coffee seedlings to farmers in the county.
Principal Secretary for the State Department for Cooperatives, Patrick Kilemi, said the initiative will provide growers with disease-free seedlings reduce farm production costs and strengthen cooperative societies across the region.
Meru Governor Rev. Isaac Mutuma welcomed the seedlings on behalf of local farmers, noting that the distribution marks a significant step toward restoring the county’s position as a leading coffee producer. Several county officials also attended the event.
The move aims to boost the Coffee Revitalization Programme which includes a wide range of interventions targeting improved productivity and farmer welfare.
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These include the empowerment of youth, women and persons with disabilities, as well as the training of 390 Ward Champions in agronomy, barista skills, entrepreneurship and financial literacy.
Through national government intervention, farmers have also benefitted from subsidized inputs, the Coffee Cherry Advance Revolving Fund which has so far advanced over Ksh 10.3 billion to 606,000 farmers and the Direct Settlement System, designed to ensure timely and transparent payments.
Nationally, the government aims to raise annual coffee production from 51,852 MT to 151,000 MT, increase yields from 2 kg to 6 kg per tree, and boost farmer earnings to KSh 130 per kilogram as part of ongoing reforms in the sector.
By Obegi Malack
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