Farmers across Western Kenya are being urged to diversify into coffee farming as part of government efforts to revive agricultural incomes in the region. Speaking during a sensitisation forum in Busia County, Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya said coffee offers far better returns than traditional crops such as sugarcane and maize, which have suffered declining profitability in recent years.
“For a long time, the Western region has relied on sugarcane and maize, but the returns have gone down. Our climate is favourable for coffee farming, which has much higher returns. One acre of coffee can yield more than KSh 1 million within two to three years, making it a profitable venture,” Oparanya told farmers during a sensitisation forum.
Official data shows that total coffee production rose by 3.8 per cent last year to 51,400 tonnes, up from 49,500 tonnes in 2024. Cooperatives accounted for the largest share, increasing output by 5.4 per cent to 36,800 tonnes, while estate production remained unchanged at 14,600 tonnes. The overall area under coffee expanded by 400 hectares to 113,900 hectares, with cooperative farms rising from 85,000 hectares in 2023/24 to 85,300 hectares in 2024/25.
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Oparanya highlighted the government’s investment in promoting coffee farming, including the distribution of seedlings and the training of extension officers. “We are training two extension officers from every ward in the country to guide and monitor coffee farmers. We have also distributed seedlings to many farmers to encourage coffee production,” he said.
He further unveiled the new Tushirikiane SACCO to empower farmers economically. “The SACCO will play a vital role in mobilising savings, expanding access to affordable credit, and supporting members to invest in productive sectors of the economy while strengthening the cooperative movement across the region,” Oparanya explained.
During the sensitisation exercise, the Cabinet Secretary distributed coffee seedlings to farmers and assured them of the government’s commitment to supporting the sector. He emphasised that coffee farming, backed by reforms and cooperative structures, has the potential to transform livelihoods across the region.
By Masaki Enock
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