Sh20bn needed to revive coffee sector, farmers say

Coffee farmers now want Sh20 billion pumped into the sector and the Kenya Planters Cooperative Union debt settled to revive the industry’s fortunes.

Peasant Coffee Farmers Association (PCFA) on Sunday also asked the government to commit at least Sh1,000 for every kilo a farmer delivers in the next harvest.

This should be paid within two weeks and the bonus sent to their accounts after sale.

At the same time, the farmers demanded an overhaul of the union management, accusing the directors of contributing to its collapse.

PCFA Secretary-General Waqambo Qambo described Kenya Planters Cooperative Union (KPCU) as a debt-laden institution that needed new leadership.

They said Sh15 per kilo pay after delivery was not reassuring.

The Association anticipates funding to process and package coffee for export in a bid to boost the farmers’ earnings.

Speaking on Sunday at a coffee farmers meeting, the association’s Chairman Peter Minai warned that the proposed Sh2 billion subsidy would not be used well unless visionary leaders took over the organisation.

The farmers also resolved to petition President Uhuru Kenyatta to give the association control of the Dandora, Sagana and KPCU mills.

Mr Minai said farmers had no confidence the reforms would become a reality unless the millers were denied control over their coffee.

Mr Francis Mbugua, a farmer, said he would only hope for better pay if the mills were placed under the supervision of smallholder farmers.

 “There will be conflict between the farmers and the millers if they are not allowed to control the mills,” he said.