Coffee farming in Laikipia County received a major boost after the New KPCU delivered over 10,000 certified coffee seedlings to farmers.
Under, the Co-operative Societies Programme, the government through New KPCU and partners is seeking to distribute 500,000 coffee seedlings to farmers.
The aim is to open up new coffee farming areas with the aim of increasing coffee production, increase farmers’ earnings and grow the economy.
The seedlings, flagged off by Laikipia Governor H.E. Joshua Irungu, EGH, marked the start of distributing 500,000 seedlings in the county. Nationally, the programme targets 20 million seedlings for over 200,000 farmers across 33 coffee-growing counties.
New KPCU Managing Director Timothy Mirugi reaffirmed the programme’s goal of increasing the country’s coffee production from 51,000 metric tonnes to over 151,000 metric tonnes and productivity from current 2kg per tree to 5kg per tree by the year 2028/29.
He said farmers will be able to improve their technical skills and knowledge through training and extention services while providing youth empowerment through employment activities for revenue generation.
Farmers were also encouraged to take advantage of the Coffee Cherry Advance Revolving Fund which is currently the most affordable financing solution available to coffee farmers.
The seedlings, certified by the Coffee Research Institute (CRI), were accompanied by essential training. CRI Deputy Director Dr. Harrison Mugo guided county agricultural extension officers and farmers on proper planting practices to ensure maximum yield and long-term crop success.
The knowledge transfer is key to strengthening local agronomy capacity.
The programme continues to deliver long-term solutions for Kenya’s coffee revival, powered by cooperatives, backed by government, and rooted in farmer success.
