Rome:Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mutahi Kagwe, has called for a fundamental transformation of the global coffee industry. He emphasized the importance of protecting farmers, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and ensuring that coffee production remains economically viable for long-term sustainability.
According to Kenya News Agency, speaking at the International Coffee Strategy Forum in Rome, Kagwe highlighted the necessity of stronger partnerships between coffee-producing and consuming countries. He noted this could address issues such as declining production, improve farmer earnings, and expand global coffee markets.
Using Kenya as a case study, Kagwe pointed out that the country’s coffee production had fallen from approximately 150,000 metric tonnes to 50,000 metric tonnes. This decline underscores the need for policies that make coffee farming competitive compared to alternative agricultural enterprises. He cited Kenya’s Coffee Act as a critical measure to enhance the regulation of domestic and export markets, as well as to advance coffee research for improved productivity.
Kagwe stressed that the global coffee value chain relies heavily on farmers, warning that without sustainable returns, the industry’s future could be jeopardized. He urged international coffee companies to invest in producer welfare, noting that their long-term commercial interests are closely tied to the prosperity of the farmers.
He also called for intentional investment in the international growth of the Kenya Coffee brand, akin to the promotion of Kenyan tea. Kagwe encouraged collaboration among governments, industry players, and processors to boost global coffee consumption.
Regarding international trade regulations, such as the European Union Deforestation Regulation, Kagwe advocated for policies that consider the realities of agricultural production. He emphasized the need to recognize coffee as a tree crop and to ensure compliance requirements reflect conditions on the ground.
Furthermore, Kagwe highlighted the potential role of digital transformation in modernizing coffee trading. By connecting smallholder farmers directly with international buyers, market access can be improved, and greater transparency can be achieved across the value chain.
Lastly, he mentioned Kenya’s collaboration with Italy and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization in establishing the Coffee Research and Training Institute in Nairobi. This partnership reflects the importance of international cooperation in bolstering research, skills development, and the sector’s long-term competitiveness.
