Coffee stakeholders have called for increased production of quality coffee in order to strengthen Kenya’s competitiveness in the global coffee market.
The stakeholders expressed the sentiments during a workshop organized by the Coffee Research Institution under the New Kenya Planters Cooperative Union (NKPCU) at Machakos University.
Led by Senator Njeru Ndwiga, Chair of the National Steering Committee, the stakeholders’ forum underscored the government’s pledge to breathe new life into the coffee subsector, with an eye on better livelihoods, stronger cooperatives, and sustainable growth.
“Together, we are laying a strong foundation for a vibrant, competitive, and sustainable coffee sector that delivers greater value to farmers and contributes to Kenya’s agricultural transformation,” said Senator Ndwiga.
The forum brought together stakeholders from Machakos, Makueni, and Kajiado counties, researchers, and agricultural experts under the theme of reviving coffee through cooperatives.
According to Daniel Kiprotich Chemno, Chairman of NKPCU, the stakeholders’ forum was crucial so as to deliberate on strategies of strengthening the coffee sector and creating awareness of the government’s comprehensive roadmap for coffee revival.
He noted that the workshop also provided a platform for county representatives to share the challenges affecting coffee production in their respective regions and exchange ideas on possible solutions.
Machakos University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Joyce J. Agalo emphasized the importance of partnerships between universities, researchers, and agricultural institutions in promoting innovation and sustainable agricultural development.
Coffee researcher Elijah Gichuru highlighted the need to improve coffee productivity, increase export revenues, and adopt research-driven farming practices that will enable Kenya to compete effectively with other coffee-producing countries in the region.
Participants discussed key strategies for revitalizing the coffee industry, including improving farming practices, increasing production, enhancing the quality of coffee, strengthening farmers’ cooperatives, and expanding access to international markets.
They also underscored the need for collaboration among researchers, county governments, and coffee farmers to address challenges affecting production and improve farmers’ incomes.
By Celine Mutheu and Anna Mukulu
