Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has expressed confidence that the reforms implemented by the Kenya Kwanza administration in the agricultural sector are beginning to show positive outcomes. Speaking at a consultative engagement with over 5,000 coffee farmers and leaders of 24 cooperative societies in Runyenjes, Embu County, Kindiki highlighted the progress made in the agriculture sector, specifically in coffee farming.
According to Kindiki, coffee prices have reached record highs, with current prices ranging from 120 to 148 shillings per kilogram of cherry, the highest in 35 years. This surge in prices is seen as a significant achievement for coffee farmers in Kenya, who have struggled with fluctuating prices for decades.
In addition to the improved coffee prices, the government is also focusing on other key reforms to support coffee farmers. One of the major initiatives is the streamlining of the fertiliser subsidy programme for coffee farmers. This is expected to lower input costs for farmers, ensuring that they can maintain profitability even as other challenges persist in the sector.
Moreover, Kindiki emphasized that new legislation to govern the coffee industry and cooperatives will be introduced in the coming months. This legislation will aim to address the challenges faced by farmers and cooperatives, providing a more transparent and efficient framework for the sector. The government is also in the process of verifying the debts owed to coffee cooperative societies, with the goal of ensuring that only legitimate claims benefit from the 6.8 billion shillings debt waiver offered by the government.
Further interventions by the government include the provision of adequate coffee seedlings to farmers, subsidies on pesticides, and a large-scale coffee infrastructure modernization programme. This programme aims to enhance coffee processing methods and increase the efficiency and quality of coffee production in Kenya.
Another key area of focus for the government is the marketing of Kenyan coffee on the global stage. Kindiki highlighted that the government has been actively working to dismantle the cartels that have historically controlled the milling, brokerage, and marketing of Kenyan coffee. By removing these intermediaries, the government is ensuring that more of the profits from coffee sales are retained by the farmers themselves, improving their financial stability.
These reforms and interventions are seen as part of the broader strategy by the Kenya Kwanza administration to revitalize the agricultural sector and fulfill its manifesto promises. With these changes, the government aims to not only improve the livelihoods of coffee farmers but also strengthen Kenya’s position as a leading coffee producer in the world. The continued success of these initiatives will be crucial in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the coffee industry and the broader agricultural sector in Kenya.
