Vihiga County has intensified efforts to revive coffee farming, targeting the distribution of 600,000 seedlings by October as the government seeks to restore the crop as a major source of household income.
So far, only about 100,000 seedlings have been distributed to farmers, prompting the County Coffee Steering Committee to call for increased production of quality seedlings, stronger extension services and greater farmer preparedness ahead of the next distribution exercise.
The committee, chaired by Vihiga County Commissioner Jeremiah Gicheru, met at the County Commissioner’s office to review progress in implementing the coffee revival programme and identify challenges that could undermine its success.
Gicheru called for concerted efforts by national and county government agencies, coffee cooperatives, research institutions and farmers to restore confidence in coffee farming, particularly among farmers who have abandoned the crop.
“Farmers need to understand the importance of coffee as a cash crop and the economic opportunities it presents,” Gicheru said.
He urged stakeholders to develop practical strategies to encourage farmers to return to coffee farming, noting that the revival programme required coordinated efforts at all levels.
The County Coffee Steering Committee was constituted following a Gazette Notice issued in October 2025, which provided guidelines for implementing the coffee revival programme.
Its mandate includes developing and overseeing implementation strategies, mobilising financial resources to support coffee cooperatives and providing oversight in the revitalisation of coffee cooperatives.
The committee noted progress in training 33 ward coffee champions who are expected to provide extension services and support farmers at the grassroots.
New KPCU representative Eunice Kavochi said the organisation was targeting to recruit about 50 coffee champions across the county to strengthen extension services.
However, Kavochi cited inadequate funds to facilitate the champions and insufficient coffee seedlings for distribution to farmers as some of the challenges facing the programme.
The committee resolved that ward coffee champions should work closely with county agricultural officers to strengthen extension services and ensure effective coordination of activities.
Members also agreed to develop a comprehensive work plan and activity guide to prepare farmers for the distribution of additional seedlings.
Farmers were urged to prepare their land and undergo training so they can be ready to plant the seedlings once they become available.
The committee further agreed that the Coffee Research Foundation should work closely with the Department of Agriculture to increase production of quality coffee seedlings.
New KPCU was also urged to support coffee cooperatives to establish their own nurseries and raise seedlings locally rather than relying on the purchase and transportation of seedlings from other areas.
The committee proposed that coffee cooperatives be licensed to establish nurseries where farmers can access seedlings and be supported to introduce grafting programmes.
Members further recommended that seedlings be channelled through cooperatives as a priority to strengthen their role in supporting farmers rather than distributing them directly to individual growers.
The committee also emphasised the need to deliberately target young people and women under the coffee revival programme to increase their participation in coffee farming and create additional household income opportunities.
Members observed that reviving the crop would require sustained efforts because many farmers had abandoned coffee farming, while some coffee-processing machinery had been vandalised.
They called for renewed engagement with farmers to restore confidence in coffee as a viable economic activity and encourage investment in the crop.
The committee agreed to develop a standard message on coffee revival to be disseminated throughout the county through National Government Administration Officers, the County Government and other government officials.
Gicheru said his administration would facilitate dissemination of the message to ensure farmers receive consistent and accurate information about the coffee revival programme.
The committee noted that stronger collaboration among government agencies, coffee cooperatives, research institutions and farmers would be critical to achieving the county’s coffee revival targets.
By Rose Wasike
