The Government From Yesterday Organized Coffee Farmers Forums In All Areas Where The Crop Is Grown Where Stakeholders Are Expected To Endorse The Move That Will See Them Start Earning Bonus Like Their Tea Counterparts
By Wilfred Muchire
Worth Noting:
- “To address the decline in coffee production caused by price volatility and high production costs, the government has taken decisive steps which will see our coffee production increase from the current 51,000 metric tonnes to over 100,000 metric tonnes by 2025,” the statement stated.
- The payment is one of the key strategic initiatives taken by the government in order to address the plight of over five million Kenyans involved in the whole coffee value chain.
- Dr Mwaura noted that the Kenya Kwanza administration has invested KSh267.7 billion in nine key value chains in the current financial year, a move that clearly demonstrates the government’s dedication to driving the Bottom-up transformation agenda.
Coffee farmers across the country are expected to start receiving a Guaranteed Minimum Return of KSh80 per kilogram.
To make this a reality, the government yesterday announced that KSh6 billion had been disbursed to coffee farmers to bolster the Coffee Cherry Advance Revolving Fund. The money is set to cater for the distribution and implementation of a comprehensive coffee production sensitization program.
In a press statement signed by Government Spokesman Dr Isaac Maigua Mwaura, meetings endorsing the distribution of the money started yesterday.
Farmers representatives started convening yesterday in Makueni county with others slated to take place in various places to endorse the move before the money hits their accounts.
There are 37 counties that produce coffee in the country and the Ministry of Cooperative Development is coordinating the meetings.
“Tomorrow (today), the distribution will target Machakos, Kajiado, and Taita Taveta at Kagundo Kainga Stadium while on 11th (tomorrow) Nyeri County at Karatina stadium” the statement read in part.
Those from Kirinyaga County will meet at General Kassam stadium, while in Murang’a, they will be convening at Ihura stadium.
All the coffee growing counties are expected to convene such meetings to ratify the payment decision.
“To address the decline in coffee production caused by price volatility and high production costs, the government has taken decisive steps which will see our coffee production increase from the current 51,000 metric tonnes to over 100,000 metric tonnes by 2025,” the statement stated.
The payment is one of the key strategic initiatives taken by the government in order to address the plight of over five million Kenyans involved in the whole coffee value chain.
Dr Mwaura noted that the Kenya Kwanza administration has invested KSh267.7 billion in nine key value chains in the current financial year, a move that clearly demonstrates the government’s dedication to driving the Bottom-up transformation agenda.
Further, the government observed that the Minimum Guaranteed Return of KSh80 was far better than the previous non-guaranteed price of KSh60.
The government Spokesman disclosed that any surplus proceeds beyond the minimum price will be distributed to the farmers as coffee cash bonus.
Dr Mwaura said the increase of allocation of KSh2 billion to KSh10 billion to the Agricultural Finance Corporation is aimed at providing farmers with access to credit at single-digit interest rates. These funds will further alleviate the production costs and bolster productivity in the coffee sector.
“Through these strategic interventions and substantial investments, we aim to not only revive the coffee industry but also empower our farmers, ensuring sustainable growth and prosperity within the sector,” the government’s Spokesman concluded his statement.
Farmers welcomed the move saying it will greatly improve their earnings.
The new move is a culmination of efforts by the Kenya Kwanza government Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who has been initiated the coffee reforms and has been consistent that farmers must reap maximum benefits from their sweat.
