The Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMES, Wycliffe Oparanya, has disclosed plans by the National Government to have 5 million coffee seedlings distributed to Uasin Gishu coffee farmers through cooperative societies as the next financial year begins.

Oparanya says that already 5000 seedlings have been ordered for distribution to benefit the coffee farmers as soon as possible.

Addressing hundreds of coffee farmers on Friday, an event organized by the county Government of Uasin Gishu in partnership with the New Kenya Planters Cooperative Union(New KPCU) the CS added that: “Subsequently 20 million seedlings in the following years is under projection for us to attain our target of producing 150,000 million metric tones of coffee by the year 2027.”

Oparanya reiterated the initiative’s bold move of restoring the position of Kenya’s coffee production to where it was in the early 1960s, noting that ksh 500 million has been set aside to facilitate the entire program.

“We are keen to those who have planted coffee on how they can be supported to produce at least 10kgs per coffee bush.”

“…We are also expanding and growing coffee coverage, that’s why so far I have traversed at least 35 counties to rally our people on the importance of engaging in this profitable venture.”

The CS also said coffee fertilizer will be distributed through co-op societies at a cost of ksh 2000 per bag, pointing out plans to introduce organic fertilizer as opposed to using chemicals and pulping machines from Brazil, as already in the pipeline.

Governor Dr. Bii’s administration is keen on scaling up this year’s distribution from last year’s 383,000 seedlings to a targeted 1 million, empowering even more farmers to tap into the coffee value chain and complementing the National Government’s notable efforts.

Deputy Governor Evans Kapkea urged the CS to prioritize establishing a coffee research center in the North Rift region to further boost coffee farming.

“We shall visit cooperative societies championing coffee farming, have a conversation with them on, and see areas that they need to be supported for them to do better in this value chain,” said Kapkea.

Uasin Gishu Coffee Union chairman Joseph kurgat said coffee farmers in the county have kept increasing on a daily basis, courtesy of the support and frequent rallies by Governor Jonathan Bii.

He highlighted the need for the ministry through the new KPCU to provide quality coffee seedlings for farmers to embrace the initiative, calling on the ministry to relook at issues affecting the sector, including seed distribution, pulping machines, required fertilizer, coffee storage, milling matching, pesticides, among others.

Agriculture CEC Dr. Sam Kottut, Chief Officers Elphas Kesio(Agriculture), Nixon Cheplong(Livestock), Ruth Samoei(PSM), Felix Kimaru(Trade) were among the present.