Kandara: Coffee farmers in the country have been urged to embrace proper management practices for their coffee bushes in order to maximize yields and benefit from the improving global coffee market. This comes at a time when many farmers in coffee-growing regions are steadily returning to the crop, following improved prices and better payouts witnessed over the last three years.
According to Kenya News Agency, some farmers who had abandoned coffee farming in favor of alternative sources of livelihood are now replanting and nurturing new bushes as confidence in the sector continues to grow. The remarks were made during a farmers’ training session held at Kioru Farmers Coffee Cooperative Society in Kandara Constituency, where farmers engaged county agricultural extension officers and representatives from the Women in Climate Change Organization (WICCO).
Speaking during the training, the Agricultural Extension Officer, Lawrence Njuguna, highlighted that proper management of coffee bushes throughout the year is key to increasing production and improving earnings. He mentioned several varieties doing well in the region, including Batian, Ruiru grafted and ungrafted, and SL28, while K7 performs best in dry regions.
Njuguna emphasized the importance of soil testing before planting coffee bushes to determine soil pH levels and identify missing nutrients. He noted that spacing and planting methods vary depending on the variety. He advised farmers to conduct soil analysis every two years and provided a detailed annual management calendar, including application of agricultural lime, manure, CAN fertilizer, and foliar sprays.
Kioru Farmers Coffee Cooperative Society Chairperson Charles Waweru Kibe reported that the cooperative currently has 500 members, with 214 actively delivering coffee. He noted an increase in the number of farmers due to improved prices, projecting up to 80 tonnes of delivered berries this season. Kibe called on the government to support struggling coffee societies and encouraged farmers to adopt proper crop management practices.
Diana Muthoni, CEO of Women in Climate Change Organization and Murang’a County Assembly Environment Committee Chairperson, remarked on the importance of farmer training in improving yields and strengthening livelihoods. The farmers received Batian coffee seedlings and a drying bed to help address post-harvest challenges.
One of the beneficiaries, Bernard Kamande, expressed appreciation for the initiative, noting that the training would help improve his production. Kamande also appealed to the government to enhance agricultural extension services to support farmers further.
