Full implementation of proposed reforms will enhance coffee production in Kenya: Official

Kenya's coffee production is likely to develop once proposed reforms are fully implemented, an official said on May 21.

The Chairman of state-funded Coffee sub-sector Implementation Committee (CSIC), Joseph Kieyah, notified that coffee cherry output per tree is likely to augment from the current two kilograms to eight kilograms.

"The increase is expected to push national production to 100,000 metric tons in the medium term from the current 40,000 metric tons," Kieyah told the media persons. He further attributed the low production to inefficiency of the value chain that has led to current prices demoralizing small-scale farmers.

Coffee production is currently oscillating between 40,000 metric tons and 50,000 metric tons, compared to about 130,000 metric tons produced in 1987/88 coffee year, Kieyah said. "Area under coffee has for the two decades dropped to 114,500 hectares from 170,000 hectares, a factor that has also contributed to a decrease in production," he added, as reported by Xinhua.

A 3-billion-shilling (USD 30 million) coffee cherry revolving fund was recently announced by President Uhuru Kenyatta to help coffee farmers secure loans at an interest rate of 3 percent, he said. The scheme will start in July.

Kieyah said his committee is determined to provide such inputs as fertilizers and other agronomy support to help the farmers raise production and shield against price fluctuations on the global market.

The government is aware of the declining prices both locally and internationally and is working on strategies to cushion growers against the effects, he said. "We are pursuing the publication of new general and coffee exchange regulations, intensive marketing of Kenya coffee and audit of coffee farmers' cooperative societies," he cited, Xinhua noted.

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