Kirinyaga:Coffee farmers are experiencing improved access to high-yielding coffee seedlings and alternative income-generating projects, thanks to initiatives by cooperatives and development partners. These efforts aim to strengthen livelihoods within the sector.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Rainforest Alliance-led “Bringing the Future of Coffee to Stay” project is designed to enhance coffee production while aiding farmers in diversifying their income sources and building resilience against climate change. At Inoi Farmers Cooperative, two nurseries are being set up with 20,000 Ruiru 11 coffee seedlings. Additionally, the project supports the production of 10,000 avocado and 10,000 macadamia seedlings, along with shade trees to promote agroforestry.
Daniel Mwangi from the Rainforest Alliance stated that the additional seedlings will allow the cooperative to produce approximately 2,000 seedlings annually, available to farmers at a subsidized rate. The project has trained 100 lead farmers in regenerative and smart agriculture, benefiting 2,500 farmers overall. Nursery operators have also been educated in coffee nursery management, ensuring access to quality planting materials and making seedlings more affordable.
Inoi Farmers Cooperative chairperson Felix Moridi Mwai highlighted that farmers are already seeing benefits, with seedlings priced at Sh40 each. Beyond seedlings, the cooperative provides training in regenerative agriculture, certification, record keeping, and financial literacy. Mwai emphasized the importance of extending such partnerships to other coffee-growing regions to secure the future of the coffee industry.
The project also supports livelihood diversification through self-help groups and village savings and loan associations, offering coffee-growing households alternative income sources and reducing reliance on coffee earnings alone. In the dairy sector, similar diversification efforts have yielded positive results, with New Ngariama Cooperative Society farmers benefiting from improved dairy breeds through a partnership with the Mount Kenya Sustainable Landscape and Livelihoods Program.
Phinious Nyaga, chairperson of the society, noted that farmers who received improved dairy animals saw significant increases in milk production, from an average of six to eight litres to about 20 litres per day. Those who benefited from initial financing have repaid their loans, allowing for further loans to new farmers. These initiatives reflect a broader trend encouraging farmers in coffee-growing areas to integrate other agricultural enterprises and climate-smart practices.
