Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives Wycliffe Oparanya has met Kiambu County coffee farmers who made a list of demands to be addressed.
Through Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamucomba who was present farmers want the government to urgently address issues they are say are hurting them and the industry.
She was accompanied by the area MP Macua Waithaka (Kiambaa) for the meeting held at Ndumberi stadium.
Gathoni said while some progress has been achieved farmers wanted listed issues addressed urgently;
- Pay all farmers proceeds to the farmers through their factories account.
- Ensure DSS ( Direct payments system) pays farmers in the stipulated time in Us Dollars.
- Fill up cherry Advance funds to Ksh 80 per kilo of cherry. (Current is below 40 shper kilo)
- Distribute fertilizers to the factories for free access to farmers.
- Press for the Nullification of The Capital markets regulations proposed by CS treasury proposing to introduce 1.8 %levies ( as deductions)to coffee brokers at the Auction which would adversely affect the farmers proceeds.
- Ensure that farmers enjoy not less than 80 percent of their sales proceeds at the farm gate level.
7.Ensure that the youths are included in the leadership and management of coffee soceities. - Create a special police unit to safeguard coffee produce from thefts
- Activate and reinstate coffee debts waivers of Ksh 6.8B which has been pending promise by the Head of state.
- Support the Investigation of fraudulent transactions done by some societies defrauding farmers their hard earned incomes.
On his part Oparanya said the government was commitment to restoring coffee farming to profitability and ensuring farmers benefit from improved earnings, access to inputs, agronomy support, and financial inclusion.
He was accompanied by Principal Secretary of State Department of Cooperatives Mr Patrick Kilemi and New KPCU Managing Director Timothy Mirugi and his chairman Samuel Chemno among other high ranking officials.
The Kiambu meeting was part of the ongoing nationwide Coffee Revitalization Program spearheaded by the government through New KPCU.
Following a similar engagement recently held in Kakamega, today’s forum brought together farmers, cooperative leaders, and stakeholders to discuss key reforms and opportunities in the coffee sec
The Coffee Revitalization Program aims to distribute 20 million coffee seedlings countrywide over the next two years and empower farmers with the tools and knowledge needed to boost production and improve livelihoods
