Coffee farmers urged to increase productivity in Western Kenya

Written by Rosemary Wachiye and Trix Luvindi

The Kaptola Coffee Cooperative farm in Kimilili. Photo/ West Fm/ File. BUNGOMA COUNTY: The Coffee Board of Kenya has revealed that coffee production in Western province was low despite the fact that the price has been increase. Mr. Timothy Otachi the Coffee Advisory Officer for Western Province noted that farmers in region need to be educated on better farming and marketing methods. Speaking at a consultative meeting with farmers at the Bungoma County Hall, Otachi urged them to treat coffee farming as a business rather than subsistence farming because coffee is a cash crop meant to generate profit. “Arabica coffee prices have been marked to improve from Sh50 to Sh70 per kilo gram (Kg) over the last year and therefore, there is a need for the farmers to increase their farm produce,” said Otachi. Otachi was categorical in the need for coffee farmers to learn new marketing strategies that will enable them to sell their produce to the highest bidder. Bungoma Coffee farmers who attended the annual general held at the Bungoma county Hall. Photos/ West Fm. This has been made possible with the introduction of free trade. He hoped that in three years time the farmers in different regions will have their own mill for milling their coffee products. The farmers were encouraged to keep holding coffee education days to educate each other on better farming practices. They were urged to hold field days to conduct demonstrations on farm practices where they should invite relevant guests from the Coffee Board of Kenya who can add informational value to their meetings. Coffee farmers were also cautioned to be weary of illegal coffee trade that leads to loss of income, loss of revenue as well as decline in production. The meeting was held a week after Kaptola Coffee Society Factory management and supervisory board elections were held with almost the former officials making a strong come. Three weeks ago, the annual general meeting turned chaotic as members without notice demanded for elections as a result of discontent with the management but on the centrally only one board member was shown the door during the elections. Kimilili District Co-operative Society Officer (DCO) Mr. Lawrence Mitunda challenged the new management team to work together with purpose of empowering farmers economically. He said by re-electing them, it shows farmers had a lot of trust hence urged them to show competence that would see farmers improve on the quality and quantity of coffee production. Similarly, William Kusesi the new chairman for the cooperative society, disclosed that World Bank will offer training to farmers on modern coffee farming and strategic management skills geared towards increasing productivity and income to farmers.