- New KPCU is expanding access to coffee seedlings through cooperative societies in five counties.
- Several cooperatives have received thousands of seedlings to support new and existing farmers.
- The drive aims to raise national coffee production and strengthen farmers’ incomes.
The New Kenya Planters’ Cooperative Union (New KPCU) has intensified efforts to revive Kenya’s coffee sector through a nationwide seedling distribution programme targeting farmers in several counties.
The initiative has reached cooperative societies in Kericho, Makueni, Nakuru, Trans Nzoia and Murang’a counties. It provides farmers with quality coffee seedlings to expand production and improve their livelihoods.
Among the beneficiaries are Kunyak Cooperative Society in Kericho County, Kakuyuni and Kithangani cooperative societies in Makueni, Jumatatu Cooperative Society in Nakuru, Kamisa Coffee Cooperative in Trans Nzoia and Kahuhia Farmers’ Cooperative Society in Murang’a.
Jumatatu Cooperative Society received 12,000 seedlings, while Kamisa Coffee Cooperative received about 22,000. Kahuhia Farmers’ Cooperative Society also benefited from 20,000 seedlings to support the expansion of coffee farming in the region.
Kamisa has 215 members, including about 103 new entrants who are embracing coffee as a potential source of income.
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Kunyak Cooperative Society is the leading coffee producer in Kericho County. It is among the beneficiaries of the exercise, alongside the two cooperatives in Makueni.
The programme complements support provided through the Coffee Cherry Advance Revolving Fund (CCARF), which offers farmers financing to sustain their coffee production activities. The beneficiary cooperatives have also accessed the fund to support their farming operations.
New KPCU’s intervention comes as the country seeks to raise annual coffee production from 50,000 metric tonnes to 150,000 metric tonnes. The plan depends on expanding acreage, attracting new farmers and strengthening the coffee value chain.
The distribution drive is expected to improve access to planting materials, encourage more farmers to venture into coffee farming and support the long term sustainability of the sector.
Farmers have been encouraged to plant and properly nurture the seedlings to ensure healthy growth and better productivity in the coming years.
Through the combined provision of seedlings and financial support, New KPCU is seeking to strengthen cooperative societies, improve farmers’ earning potential and contribute to the revitalisation of Kenya’s coffee industry.
By Lizzy Aluga
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