- Mathioya MP Edwin Mugo, whose constituency is one of the largest coffee producers in the region praised the government for the funds
- Farmers have been complaining for months following the poor prices their produce has been attracting
Image: Alice Waithera
@Alicewangechi
Murang’a residents have praised the government’s decision to set aside Sh4 billion to cushion coffee farmers from poor prices.
The funds, which were approved by Cabinet early this month will see coffee prices increase from Sh20 per Kg to Sh80 per Kg through the Coffee Cherry Advance fund started in 2019.
Farmers have been complaining of poor coffee prices brought about by reforms in the sector.
This prompted a section of leaders from the Mt. Kenya region, where the crop is largely grown to push government to streamline the sector and bail out farmers.
Mathioya MP Edwin Mugo, whose constituency is one of the largest coffee producers in the region praised the government for the funds.
“Every farmer, who sold coffee in the last season will receive Sh80 per Kg, as an advance from the fund. This money is not refundable," he said.
Mugo said they will continue with the push to have coffee prices go up to Sh150 per Kg.
Image: Alice Waithera
He said they have approached the President and his deputy to waiver debts coffee farmers have from co-operative societies.
This, he said, can only happen if the Coffee Bill 2023 and the Co-operatives Bill, which seek to streamline the sector are passed.
The Co-operatives Bill will make it more difficult for co-operative societies to borrow on behalf of farmers.
“We have asked that the same way the sugar debts were waived, coffee debts should also be paid on behalf of farmers,” Mugo said.
He said waiving the debts will see farmers receive more for their produce.
“These are the things we were talking about during campaigns when we talked about putting money in people’s pockets," Mugo said.
"I am happy that our fight as Mt. Kenya MPs is bearing fruits and if prices of farm produces go up, we will have achieved our manifesto."
The MP asked farmers to boost the quality and quantity of coffee they produce.
Image: Alice Waithera
Farmers from Gatunyu Kigio Coffee Co-operative society in Gatanga Subcounty said the move will encourage them to produce more.
The co-operative society chairperson Francis Ngone said the increased prices have instilled hope in farmers.
Ngone, who is also the chairperson of Murang’a Farmers’ Co-operative Union, spoke during a general meeting with farmers.
Paul Mwaura, urged farmers to to encourage the youth to venture into coffee farming.
“My appeal is for parents to ensure that they give a few crops to their youthful children to mentor them into coffee farming,” he said.
"This is the time for my fellow youth to get serious with coffee because its future seems bright."
The farmers also praised Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for signing a deal that will see more than 700 tonnes of coffee bought from them.
The deal, which was inked in Belgium saw Gachagua reiterate the government's commitment to raise annual coffee production from the current 51,000 tonnes to 260,000 metric tonnes in five years.