The Government of Kenya has set an ambitious target to triple the country’s coffee production from 50,000 metric tonnes to 150,000 metric tonnes by the 2028/2029 Financial Year. This was announced by Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and Micro and Small Enterprises, Wycliffe Oparanya, during a meeting with coffee farmers in Kikima town, Mbooni West.
Oparanya urged farmers to embrace farming as a business, emphasizing that the government would collaborate with 33 counties where coffee thrives to expand production. He reiterated President William Ruto’s directive to boost coffee yields, warning that meeting the target would require commitment from all stakeholders.
“President Ruto has set a target of 150,000 metric tonnes. This is not an easy task. Farmers must prioritise coffee farming and treat it as a business that can transform lives,” Oparanya told the gathering.
The CS expressed concern over the low yields in Makueni County, where the average coffee production per bush is just 2 kilograms. In contrast, he cited a farmer in Meru County producing 100 kilograms per bush. He urged local farmers to aim for at least 20 kilograms per bush.
To support this drive, the government will identify new areas suitable for coffee cultivation and recruit more farmers. Oparanya also highlighted plans for governance reforms, indicating that fresh elections will be held in cooperative societies once the Co-operative Bill before the Senate is enacted. This, he said, would ensure farmers enjoy greater transparency and benefit more from their produce.
Principal Secretary for Cooperatives Patrick Kiburi Kilemi echoed these sentiments, calling on farmers to increase acreage under coffee. He warned cooperative officials against mismanaging funds through unnecessary loans that burden farmers.
To boost productivity, the government will provide subsidised fertiliser at Sh2,500 per 50kg bag. Makueni County CECM for Agriculture, Joyce Mutua, reported that the county has distributed 26,000 coffee seedlings, with an additional 10,000 from the national government. She also announced plans to revamp extension services in the 2025/2026 financial year.
The county is also partnering with the New Kenya Planters Cooperative Union (NKPCU) to help market local coffee.
