US delegation seeks to partner with Kenyan coffee farmers

An American delegation led by the Nebraska State Senator Dan Quick is in the country to meet coffee farmers seeking partnerships for selling their produce directly to the USA without interference by middlemen.

The delegation, which seeks to meet all coffee farmers in all the coffee-growing counties, met coffee farmers Murang’a on Tuesday.

They urged the framers to enter into an agreement with them to ensure they get value for their produce, a move they said will enable US citizens access the Kenyan coffee.

The delegation, which is under the Department of Grand Ireland Development Cooperation, told the farmers that upon agreeing to partner with them, they will sell their coffee directly.

ONLINE PLATFORM

At the same time, the farmers will be following what is happening in the market through an online platform.

Dave Taylor, who spoke on behalf of the delegation, said they have decided to embark on a market-based approach because for decades, they have not been accessing the Kenyan coffee which is regarded as the specialty beverage in America.

He said middlemen have blocked their way into the local market, noting that they now want to deal with the farmers directly.

“Once we enter into an agreement, all you will be required to have is the growers market license that will empower you to sell your coffee to the miller of your choice,’ Mr Taylor said.

He announced that the State of Nebraska has already established containers where the Kenyan coffee will be packed, saying it is now upon the farmers side to produce quality coffee and in large quantity.

LONG OVERDUE

Githunguri MP Kago Mukuha, who was present at the meeting, said the decision by the American delegation was long overdue adding that the collaboration will see coffee farmers reap big after years of suffering.

“We have suffered for a long time and the delegation will now save us from the yokes of brokers. I urge the politicians not to politicise the agenda for the sake of farmers,” the MP said.

But Mr Mukuha said creating a law that will force coffee farmers to roast their coffee in the country is not the solution for the woes in the coffee sector.

INCREASE PAY

He said the problem that leaders ought to resolve is how to increase farmers’ pay.

“The problem in the coffee sector is not roasting the produce in the Kenyan soil or the market because there is more than enough market. The solution to the coffee farmers is to eliminate the middlemen who have been oppressing the farmers,” the MP said.

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has drafted a Bill that, if it becomes law, will ban the export of raw coffee.

The convener of the meeting, Mr Martin Macharia, a former MCA, castigated Murang’a leaders for snubbing the meeting despite being invited.

“No single elected leader or a county government official attended the meeting despite our calls. We even had difficulties in getting a hall to convene a meeting and we believe it is coffee cartels at play,” he said.