Coffee farming provides lifeline for Kenya’s central region

Published 2024년 12월 25일

Tridge summary

The Mutira Farmers’ Cooperative Society in Kenya is playing a crucial role in the livelihoods of smallholder farmers like Richard Muthie, with coffee being a significant source of income. The cooperative processed approximately 4.88 million kg of coffee berries in 2023, most of which was sold in bulk at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange. The cooperative is now aiming to fully process at least five percent of their coffee to access overseas markets, including China, in order to increase profits for the farmers. This venture has inspired farmers to expand coffee cultivation, which is expected to boost the mill’s capacity. Coffee farming has the potential to generate substantial earnings, with Kenya's production reaching 48,648 tonnes in 2023 and generating around 251.86 million U.S. dollars in exports. It is one of Kenya's top foreign exchange earners, alongside tea and horticulture.

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Original content

It was just past midday when Richard Muthie stood at the gate of the Mutira Farmers’ Cooperative Society coffee factory, ready to deliver his harvest. Along with the 50-year-old farmer were 30 kg of ripe, red coffee berries freshly picked by him earlier that morning. Since the start of the year, Muthie has delivered 400 kg of coffee berries for processing at the cooperative’s mill, located about four km from his half-acre farm in Kenya’s central county of Kirinyaga. The land, inherited from his father, has been his source of livelihood. “Coffee provides me with income to meet my household needs,” Muthie said. Muthie is one of 8,000 smallholder farmers who collectively own the Mutira Farmers’ Cooperative Society. They play a vital role in the cooperative’s operations, which are deeply intertwined with the region’s agricultural rhythms. Martin Kinyua, the secretary of the cooperative, said that the coffee harvesting season begins in October and typically concludes by year’s end. ...

Source: Agrifocusafrica