Coffee farmers in Murang’a County are set to benefit from increased production following the distribution of 9,917 bags of agricultural lime by the county government in an initiative aimed at restoring soil fertility and reviving the coffee sector.
The programme, spearheaded by Governor Irungu Kang’ata through the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives, seeks to address soil acidity, improve nutrient uptake and enhance coffee yields, ultimately increasing farmers’ incomes.
Each of the distributed bags weighs 50 kilograms, with the total quantity expected to treat approximately 1.98 million coffee trees using the recommended application rate of 250 grams per tree.
According to the county administration, improved soil conditions resulting from the lime application are projected to increase coffee production by about four million kilograms during the 2026/2027 harvest season.
Based on the average prices paid to farmers last season, the additional production is expected to generate close to Sh. 500 million in extra earnings for coffee growers across the county.
Governor Kang’ata said the Coffee Lime Programme forms part of his administration’s broader strategy to revitalize the coffee industry by improving farm productivity and ensuring farmers earn better returns.
“We have distributed 9,917 bags of agricultural lime for application to 1,983,400 coffee trees. We expect this intervention to produce an additional 3,966,800 kilograms of coffee during the 2026/2027 season, translating into increased income for our farmers,” said the governor when he met officials from various coffee cooperative societies.
He noted that many coffee farms in Murang’a have acidic soils, which reduce the effectiveness of fertilizers and limit crop productivity.
The application of agricultural lime helps correct soil acidity, allowing coffee plants to absorb nutrients more efficiently and grow healthier.
County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives Kimani Mugo urged farmers to apply the lime correctly to realize the full benefits of the programme.
He advised farmers to use the recommended rate of 250 grams per coffee tree saying proper application would improve soil fertility, enhance fertilizer efficiency and promote stronger, more productive coffee bushes.
Mugo added that the county government will continue providing extension services to guide farmers on proper soil management and other good agricultural practices aimed at improving coffee quality and yields.
He said the initiative is expected to deliver long-term benefits by restoring soil health, reducing soil acidity and creating favourable conditions for sustainable coffee production.
Mugo noted that healthier soils will not only increase yields but also improve the quality of coffee enabling farmers to earn better returns in the competitive global coffee market.
The lime distribution programme complements other county interventions in the coffee sector, including the provision of subsidized farm inputs, farmer training and support for coffee cooperative societies, all aimed at restoring Murang’a’s position as one of Kenya’s leading coffee-producing counties.
By Bernard Munyao and Yvonne Wanja
