By karigi Christine
The national government has launched a programme targeting the distribution of 20 million coffee seedlings in Tharaka Nithi County in a move aimed at revitalizing the coffee sector and boosting national production.
The launch took place at Mitheru Coffee Society, where hundreds of coffee farmers gathered and received 10,000 high-quality coffee seedlings to support the initiative.
Speaking during the event, New Kenya Planters Co-operative Union PLC (New KPCU) Director Charles Mutwiri Mkarimu urged farmers to embrace the improved coffee varieties, noting that they are capable of producing significantly higher yields than the traditional varieties currently grown by many farmers.
Mkarimu explained that while most older coffee trees produce about two kilograms per tree, the new varieties can produce over 20 kilograms per tree when well managed.
He said farmers registered with their cooperative societies will receive the seedlings free of charge, adding that the societies will maintain proper records which will be forwarded to New KPCU to facilitate the distribution process.
Mkarimu also noted that coffee prices have improved in recent months, with farmers currently earning more than Sh100 per kilogram, emphasizing that farmers now need to focus on good farming practices to maximize production.
Tharaka Nithi County Commissioner David Gitonga said the revival of coffee farming is among the key priorities under the government’s development agenda and that several measures have already been introduced to support coffee farmers.
Gitonga noted that the government has already waived coffee farmers’ debts and is also working towards modernizing coffee factories to enhance efficiency in processing and marketing.
He further stressed the importance of strengthening security at coffee factories and during transportation to curb theft, which has previously affected the sector.
According to the County Commissioner, stakeholders agreed that dry coffee berries should be transported to milling plants within three days in order to maintain quality and reduce risks.
“We have also agreed to strengthen security in coffee factories, including the installation of CCTV cameras and construction of perimeter walls,” he said.
Gitonga added that the County Security Committee will work closely with security agencies to ensure factories remain secure during coffee production seasons. Security will also be provided during transportation of coffee from factories to milling plants between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.
He also warned coffee brokers against interfering with farmers’ produce, noting that some have been linked to cases of coffee theft.
“Anyone found engaging in such illegal activities will face the law,” he warned.
Mitheru Coffee Society Chairman Benford Ireri encouraged young people to venture into coffee farming, saying the society has introduced programmes aimed at attracting more youth to the sector.
Ireri said young farmers will be prioritized in the distribution of the new coffee seedlings, adding that increased participation by farmers will help improve both the quality and quantity of coffee production in Tharaka Nithi.
The government’s target of distributing 20 million coffee seedlings is part of a wider initiative aimed at rejuvenating the coffee sector by replacing ageing and low-yielding coffee trees with improved varieties to enhance production across the country.
