Nyandarua County is set to join the list of coffee-growing regions in Kenya as both the county and national governments move to establish coffee farming in the area. The initiative is aimed at boosting farmers’ incomes while expanding the country’s coffee production into new regions.
Principal Secretary for Cooperative Development and SMEs Patrick Kilemi, alongside Nyandarua Governor Dr. Moses Kiarie Badilisha, said the county has shown strong interest in embracing coffee farming. They called on local farmers to take up the crop as a viable economic activity that can improve livelihoods and support ongoing agricultural diversification efforts.
The leaders spoke during a sensitization and capacity-building meeting held at Ndogino area in Leshau Pondo, Ndaragwa Constituency. The forum brought together farmers, government officials, and stakeholders to discuss opportunities within the coffee sector and the support available to growers.
Organized by the Department of Agriculture in partnership with the New Kenya Planters Co-operative Union and local farmers, the meeting highlighted the benefits of the Coffee Cherry Advance Revolving Fund (CCARF). The fund provides affordable credit to coffee farmers, enabling them to invest in production and improve yields.
Kilemi noted that the National Coffee Revival Programme (NCRP) focuses on increasing production both vertically and horizontally. He explained that vertical expansion targets higher yields from existing coffee bushes, while horizontal expansion seeks to introduce coffee farming in new frontier areas such as Nyandarua.
He assured farmers that the national government is committed to supporting the county through technical assistance, access to inputs, and policy support to ensure successful adoption of coffee farming across the region.
Governor Badilisha, accompanied by Leshau Pondo Ward MCA Gathungu Kamau, described the initiative as a significant milestone in the county’s agribusiness development. He said coffee farming would complement existing crops under the county’s diversification programme, which includes pyrethrum, avocado, and apples.
The governor emphasized that coffee will not replace pyrethrum as the county’s main cash crop but will serve as an additional income stream for farmers. He noted that diversification is key to reducing risks and improving resilience among farming communities.
To support the sector, the county government plans to distribute free coffee seedlings and establish nurseries for farmer groups. It also intends to invest in value addition by setting up a coffee factory and installing a milling machine once production reaches sustainable levels.
By Kimani Tirus
