Coffee farmers in Kirinyaga have a reason to smile following the release of huge payout rates for the 2024/2025 season.

Already 27 coffee factories out of the 75 wet mills have announced a payout of between Ksh100 and Ksh.145 per kilogramme for the cherry.

Gacami Coffee factory under the Baragwi Farmers Cooperative Society made the highest payout of Ksh.145.10 per Kilogramme followed by Karumandi at Ksh.144.30, Mukure (Ksh.144.25), Mucagara (Ksh.143.80), Kii (Ksh.142.35), Guama (Ksh.141.80), Karimikui (Ksh.141.13), Kiang’ombe (Ksh.141.05), Kiangoi (Ksh.140.51) and Nyanja (Ksh.140.50).

Officials of the cooperatives, farmers and leaders have attributed the huge payout to support from the government especially in provision of subsidized farm input, training and marketing of the produce.

The success has also been attributed to reforms in the coffee subsector that allowed the farmers to sell their coffee directly to buyers at the Nairobi Coffee auction.

The County Government has helped the 14 cooperative societies register the Kirinyaga Slopes Coffee Brokerage Company Limited which has been licensed by Capital Markets Authority as a coffee broker thus eliminating middlemen.

Governor Anne Waiguru said her coffee sector revitalization initiative was paying off with farmers getting more money in their pockets.

Waiguru termed the payouts as “impressive” adding that her administration will continue with its farmer centric and whole value chain driven interventions that will deliver quick and sustainable wins for the farmer.

“Our coffee farmers are beginning to enjoy the fruits of their labour, with impressive cherry payouts this season. Our county-level interventions, from extension services to cooperative strengthening, together with national government support on coffee reforms and subsidized farm inputs, are delivering real impact. When we work together, the farmer wins,” Waiguru said.

Joyce Wanjiku, Chairperson of Rungeto Farmers Cooperative Society said application of best agricultural practices resulting from training and timely availability of farm inputs like the government’s subsidized fertilizer had played a great role in the rise in prices of coffee.

“I am very pleased that farmers have received better payout, this is a clear indication that our hardworking farmers are finally being rewarded. The direct sale of coffee at the auction initiative spearheaded by Governor Anne Waiguru has given us a greater say in sale of our coffee,” said Wanjiku.

Cyrus Chomba, Baragwi Farmers Cooperative Society manager said the quality of coffee delivered in all its 12 factories had also improved thus enabling it to fetch higher prices at the auction.

Chomba lauded farmers for their hardwork and applying agriculture best practices to deliver increased yield and quality bean to the factory.

“As a cooperative we have also been able to reduce on the cost of processing the bean having installed solar dryers that have also helped use in early delivery of the produce to the miller,” he said.

He said the last mile subsidized fertilizer initiative by the County government is one of the factors that had helped farmers realize increased production.

Simon Muriithi, a Director at Gacami coffee factory said deployment of agronomists to train and support farmers, transportation of subsidized fertilizer to coffee factories by the county government had contributed to reduced cost of production thus earning farmers more money.  

“The county government, through Baragwi Cooperative, has helped us in storing our produce, thus minimizing post-harvest losses. Additionally, they provided subsidized fertilizer in a timely manner, which was crucial,” he added.

The County has been facilitating transportation of the subsidized fertilizers to 28 coffee factories selected from across the 14 registered coffee cooperative societies. Five of the societies have already announced their 2024/25 payout rates. The societies include; Baragwi, Kabare, Rung’eto, Mwirua and New Ngariama. The County produces an average of 40,000 tons of coffee annually earning farmers around Ksh. 2.8 billion.

Farmers have expressed excitement over the high payout saying there is hope that coffee farming could return to its profitability.

“I am extremely grateful this time because our cooperative, under Baragwi, has achieved an impressive payout of Ksh.145.10 per kilogram, one of the highest. We are hopeful this trend will continue,” Josphat Gachoki, a farmer and member of Gacami Coffee Factory.

“We urge the county government to keep supporting us with essential inputs and resources. We also appreciate the continued knowledge we are receiving through county-appointed agronomists. Having access to this training is helping us adopt new techniques that make coffee farming more profitable,” added Lydiah Wanjira, another farmer and member of Rung’eto Cooperative.

David Nyaga another farmer from Rung’eto Cooperative expressed optimism that with the support from the government to lower cost of farm inputs, coffee prices will continue to rise.

“This year’s payout has been very good, and we are hopeful that the prices will continue to rise. The cooperative’s management, together with the county government, has been instrumental, particularly in the provision of inputs, which has led to better harvests,” said Nyaga.