Coffee revival programme takes root in the counties

The government is scaling up a new national drive to revive the coffee sector.

Through the National Coffee Revival Programme, the State aims to distribute over 20 million certified coffee seedlings to boost production from 51,852 metric tonnes to 150,000 metric tonnes by 2029, meeting both local and international market demands.

Funded to the tune of Sh500 million from the Ministry of Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development, the programme seeks to promote sustainable coffee farming.

In Laikipia County, once a conflict zone, leaders have embraced coffee cultivation to diversify from traditional crops, particularly in Laikipia West constituency.

The New Kenya Planters Co-operative Union (KPCU) has distributed over 38,000 certified coffee seedlings to farmers in Ng’arua and Marmanet cooperative societies.

Governor Joshua Irungu and Finance Chief Officer Daniel Ngumi are spearheading the initiative, with New KPCU donating seedlings and urging other stakeholders to support growers.

Researchers have identified Igwamiti, Olmoran, Rumuruti, Ngobit, Umande, Salama, Tigithi, Segera, Githiga, Marmanet, Sosian, and Nanyuki as ideal coffee-growing areas in Laikipia.

The programme, in partnership with New KPCU and the Ministry, offers training to youth interested in coffee farming to enhance their skills and involvement.

Laikipia joins other Rift Valley counties, including West Pokot and Baringo, in this national coffee expansion effort.

Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya emphasised that seedlings are provided free to farmers through cooperative societies in 2025, with plans to charge for them starting next year.

“Farmers should act quickly to benefit from this year’s free distribution,” Oparanya urged.

Governor Irungu announced that Laikipia aims to distribute 500,000 coffee seedlings across identified wards to establish new plantations.

“This initiative is part of our broader strategy to promote crop diversification and enhance agricultural resilience in partnership with New KPCU,” he said.

To support farmers, coffee nurseries will be established in all 15 wards to ensure access to certified seedlings.

Finance Chief Officer Ngumi highlighted that youth will manage the coffee farms to boost productivity and provide financial support to families.

“As the majority demographic, youth are best suited to drive coffee farming, and we expect increased production in the coming years,” said Ngumi, a financial expert.

He added that training programs in Laikipia West will equip young farmers with essential knowledge.

In Murang’a, Gatagua Farmers Cooperative Society Chairman Irungu Chege confirmed receiving 30,000 coffee seedlings for distribution.

“We thank the government for fulfilling its promise to increase farm-level production,” Chege said.

New KPCU Managing Director Timothy Mirugi emphasised the programme’s goal of tripling Kenya’s coffee output.