Kenya: North Rift farmers reap fruits of switching from exclusive maize farming

When a campaign urging farmers to diversify their crops kicked off in the North Rift three years ago, it was met with hostility and rebellion. In a region known predominantly for maize, most cereal growers viewed it as a ploy by the political class to throw them out of the grain business so as to provide an opportunity for 'cartels' to import grains. However, three years later, those who had heeded the calls and diversified are now saying they made the best decision ever in their farming life. In Tuiyo village in Uasin Gishu county, Paul Keter ventured into coffee, macadamia and avocado farming and as he waits to start making a killing in the latter two crops, he is earning his livelihood from coffee. He has a three-acre coffee plantation with 2,600 trees. He gets 300-400kg per harvest, which he says is lucrative, unlike maize farming. Whereas a kilogram of maize goes for between Sh100 and Sh120, coffee sells for Sh645, making it attractive. "There is a ready market for coffee ...