In a significant step towards promoting and supporting the coffee industry in Uasin Gishu County, Chief Officer for Agriculture, Mr. Elphas Kiprop Kesio, together with Coffee Officer, Mr. Nicholas Maritim, on Tuesday flagged off the first consignment of coffee to the New Kenya Planters Cooperative Union (KPCU) for milling and marketing at the Ziwa Sirikwa Resource Center.

Recognizing the importance of finding new markets for locally grown coffee, the Chief Officer for Agriculture announced the County’s decision to market its coffee through the New KPCU as a brokerage company. This strategic move is expected to bring numerous advantages to coffee farmers in the county, fostering their economic growth and offering increased market opportunities.

One of the significant benefits is the availability of the Coffee Cherry Advance revolving fund. Farmers who deliver their coffee cherries to the New KPCU will have the opportunity to receive an advance payment, providing them with immediate financial support to meet their urgent needs.

The simplified process makes it easier for farmers to sell their coffee, and the Cherry Advance offers Ksh.300 per kilogram of coffee parchment.

In addition to the advance payment, coffee farmers also have the option to request further advances. By doing so, they can receive an additional Ksh.200 per kilogram, resulting in a total advance of 500 coffee parchments.

This flexibility allows the farmers to invest in their coffee production processes and quality improvements, ultimately enhancing their market value and profitability.

Both Chief Officer Kesio and Coffee Officer expressed their optimism for the future of coffee farming in Uasin Gishu County.

“Coffee farmers can anticipate increased market opportunities, improved financial support, and an overall boost to their livelihoods, bringing prosperity to the region,” said Kesio.

On his part, County Coffee Officer Mr. Nicholas Maritim expressed optimism for the future of coffee farming in Uasin Gishu, stating that this initiative would catalyze elevating the county’s coffee sector to greater heights.

Maritim said that the coffee farmers can look forward to increased market opportunities, improved financial support, and an overall boost to their livelihoods.