Kenya has partnered with Italy to construct a coffee training centre at the Coffee Research Institute, a move aimed at revitalizing the sector and enhancing productivity, quality, and climate resilience through improved farming practices.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Agriculture and Livestock Development Mutahi Kagwe announced that the government is targeting to double coffee production from the current 49,000MT by investing in farmer training, research, and strategic partnerships.
He noted that the initiative will also drive value addition, support market diversification, and encourage expansion of coffee farming into emerging regions beyond the traditional highlands.
Additionally, Kagwe also stressed the need for farmer-centered financing models that lower production costs and align with the realities of agricultural cycles, urging financial institutions to develop responsive products tailored to farmers’ needs.
“Strengthening research and promoting suitable coffee varieties will be key to increasing both yield and quality,” he asserted.
Equally, Kagwe highlighted the commitment of the Kenyan Government to revitalizing the coffee value chain with a clear focus on small-scale farmers.
He observed that persistent challenges including climate change, limited access to appropriate technologies, and constrained financing continue to hinder productivity.
To this regard, the CS outlined ongoing reforms aimed at restructuring the coffee subsector to align with farmers’ capacities, opening up new coffee-growing zones to boost production, and ensuring the country meets both local and export demand.
He further emphasized plans to harmonize financial frameworks to offer farmers more favorable credit terms, including lower interest rates and grace periods to support sustainable investment.
Concurrently, Italian Director General (DG) for Development Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Stephano Gatti termed the partnership timely and mutually beneficial, highlighting the shared cultural significance of coffee and its potential to improve farmer incomes while strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Reaffirming Italy’s commitment to strengthening agricultural partnerships with Kenya, he underscored the importance of a farmer-centered approach and expressed readiness to expand market access for Kenyan coffee in Italy.
Gatti further noted that the collaboration would extend beyond coffee to include other strategic value chains such as wheat, tea, edible oils, animal feeds, and dairy, reflecting a broader vision for agricultural development.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Board of Management at KALRO Dr. Thuo Mathenge reiterated the institution’s central role in driving research – led agricultural transformation.
He assured stakeholders of KALRO’s full support in implementing the proposed programmes, emphasizing the organization’s capacity to generate and disseminate innovative technologies across both crop and livestock sectors.
By Michael Omondi
