Kirinyaga farmers reject new coffee payment plan

Coffee farmers from Kirinyaga County have opposed the directive by the Ministry of Cooperatives to implement the Direct Settlement System (DSS).

The farmers said the move, which will see each farmer receive direct payment from the Nairobi Coffee Exchange, will not only kill cooperative societies but also disadvantage smallholder farmers. 

As the berries ripen ahead of the expected harvest season later in the year, farmers are angry with the government, which they accuse of overlooking their concerns. 

The annual general meeting for Muirwa Cooperative Society was almost aborted on Saturday as coffee farmers sharply opposed the rollout of the direct settlement system.

Under the new system, each farmer is directly paid for the weight of coffee delivered, a move strongly opposed by farmers.

“Kama mmoja anauza kilo moja hadi kilo kumi na nane, mwingine anauza kilo moja hadi 30,000. Na hizo kilo zote zikiuzwa, zote zinawekwa pamoja tunalipwa rate moja. Hatutaki ati mtu akiuza kilo kumi analipwa pesa. Hatutaki hiyo," Grace Mwangi, a farmer, noted.

“Sisi hatukukuwa na shida na mambo ya kulipwa. Sisi tulikuwa na shida na cartels, na ndio tukaambia serikali ipige cartel, na wakapigwa. So pesa ije hapa, tukuwe tunalipwa na management," Peter Warui, another farmer, pointed out. 

In November last year, the Ministry of Cooperatives introduced the DSS system, which was to take effect this year.

This was part of reforms that would see farmers get 80% of their dues in a record five days, with cooperatives retaining 20%. Coffee farmers now say this will kill the cooperative societies, which have been a lifeline for them.

“I have heard your views regarding DSS and we, as management, will not release your data as you have said in this meeting. We will make our minutes which say the farmers have rejected the DSS system," Geoffrey Munyagia, Chairman, Muirwa Cooperative, added.