Coffee farmers in Uasin Gishu County have received a major boost after the government announced a comprehensive support package aimed at revitalizing the coffee sector. Speaking during a meeting with New Kenya Planters Cooperative Union (KPCU) members in Eldoret, Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, Wycliffe Oparanya, unveiled plans to distribute 200,000 coffee seedlings this year and an additional 5 million seedlings in the next financial year.
The initiative is part of the government’s broader goal to increase Kenya’s coffee production from the current 50,000 metric tonnes to 150,000 metric tonnes by 2027. Oparanya emphasized the urgency of enhancing Kenya’s position in the global coffee market, noting that neighboring countries like Uganda and Ethiopia have surpassed Kenya in coffee output.
To support this ambition, the government has committed Sh500 million towards coffee production and plans to distribute a total of 20 million seedlings in the coming years. Farmers will also benefit from subsidized NPK 17:17:17 fertilizer, available at Sh2,500 per bag through coffee factories and NCPB depots.
In addition, Sh2 billion has been allocated for the procurement of coffee pulping machines, expected to be delivered within six months. Oparanya also encouraged farmers to adopt organic fertilizers for sustainable farming and highlighted the importance of establishing modern milling equipment in every county, with support from KPCU.
The CS urged farmers to register with cooperatives, expand their coffee acreage, and diversify into coffee farming to boost income. He also stressed the need for youth and women involvement in coffee farming for economic empowerment.
To tackle youth unemployment, Oparanya announced the upcoming NYOTA project, targeting the recruitment of one million youth aged 18–29 across Kenya. Each ward will enroll 70 youth for entrepreneurship training, with each graduate receiving a Sh50,000 grant to engage in agripreneurship.
Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Evans Kapkea reaffirmed the county’s support for farmers and called for improved research, better seed varieties, and efficient storage and milling infrastructure.
According to KALRO, Kenya ranked 19th globally in coffee production in 2024, with Arabica coffee accounting for 0.82% of global output.
