Kirinyaga farmers urged not to give up on coffee farming as returns improve

Speaking at Kaitheri in Kerugoya, Kirinyaga Central, National Coffee Cooperative Union (NACCU) Chairman Felix Mwai said the two constituencies jointly produced 16 million kilogrammes of coffee, compared to more than 34 million kilogrammes produced by Gichugu Constituency alone.

Mwai revealed that coffee farmers in Kirinyaga County earned Sh6.9 billion from last season’s harvest. Gichugu farmers received the largest share, taking home more than Sh5 billion, while farmers in Kirinyaga Central and Ndia earned about Sh2 billion combined.

He noted that farmers who have embraced coffee farming are reaping substantial benefits, with cherry payouts reaching record highs of between Sh120 and Sh157 per kilogramme in the county.

Highlighting Gichugu’s performance, Mwai said Baragwi Coffee Cooperative Society produced 13 million kilogrammes of coffee and paid farmers Sh2.9 billion.

He challenged farmers in Ndia to reconsider maize farming, arguing that a quarter-acre of land typically yields only four 90-kilogramme bags of maize. In contrast, the same piece of land can support about 204 coffee bushes, which he said can generate more than Sh200,000 in a single season.

Mwai attributed the improved earnings to enhanced leadership and governance within coffee cooperative societies. He added that coffee seedlings are readily available through cooperatives for farmers interested in transitioning to coffee production.