By Violet Auma || violetmedia8@gmail.com
For many years, coffee farming in Kakamega County was a forgotten enterprise, overshadowed by the dominance of sugarcane and maize farming.
Despite the county’s favorable climate and soil conditions, coffee production had dwindled due to poor management, lack of cooperatives, and unstable markets.
In the past, coffee-growing areas like Bukura flourished, but over time, farmers abandoned the crop due to unreliable pricing and delayed payments.
With the resurgence of interest in coffee farming, however, the landscape is changing.
The Kenyan government, in collaboration with stakeholders in the agriculture sector, has launched an ambitious coffee revitalization program.
This initiative aims to boost coffee production from 50,000 to 150,000 metric tonnes by 2028 and reposition coffee among leading cash crops in Kakamega County.
Roselyn Shifuma, a farmer from Ebwangwa village in Butsotso East, Lurambi Sub-county, began coffee farming in 2019.
Despite initial resistance from her husband, who favored sugarcane farming, she stood her ground. “I planted 300 stems of coffee on our small piece of land, and in 2020, I made my first sale. I harvested 140 kilograms, selling each at Ksh 630,” she shared.
The returns have been life-changing. “I can comfortably pay school fees for my three children, have renovated my house, and even improved my wardrobe, as you can see. My husband, who was initially skeptical, now fully supports me because coffee is bringing us more income.”
At a sensitization meeting held today at Approved Grounds in Kakamega, local farmers shared their experiences, challenges, and renewed hopes in coffee farming.
Among them was Dr. Irene Ashioya, a coffee farmer from Khwisero, who took a leap of faith and dedicated three acres of land to coffee cultivation.
With just 11 months since planting, she is already optimistic about making millions from her venture. “Coffee is a high-value crop, and with proper technical training, we can achieve great success,” she stated.
Dr. Ashioya emphasized the need for extensive capacity-building for agricultural extension officers, arguing that their expertise is essential in helping farmers maximize their yields.
While many farmers are excited about the shift to coffee farming, there have been significant challenges.
The Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and Small Enterprises, Wycliffe Oparanya, has taken a leading role in spearheading the revitalization of coffee farming in the region.
Speaking at the sensitization event, Oparanya emphasized the government’s commitment to boosting coffee production.
“Our goal is to increase coffee productivity from 50,000 to 150,000 metric tonnes by 2028. This will not only improve farmers’ incomes but also position Kenya as a top coffee exporter,” he said.
One of Oparanya’s key concerns is the low number of cooperative societies in the Western region.
“Western Kenya has only 2,355 registered cooperatives, which account for just 7.7% of the total in Kenya. Given that this region has the second-largest population in the country, we must work towards strengthening our cooperatives to enhance economic growth,” he stated.
To support farmers, the government has rolled out several key interventions aimed at revitalizing coffee farming in Kakamega County.
One of the major initiatives is the distribution of 20 million coffee seedlings to farmers over the next two to three years through the Kenya Planters Cooperative Union (KPCU).
“We are planning to officially launch coffee farming in Kakamega this April and will distribute over 20 million seedlings to willing farmers across the county,” said KPCU Managing Director Timothy Mirugi.
This move is expected to increase coffee production while ensuring that new farmers have access to high-quality planting materials.
Alongside the seedlings, farmers will receive specialized training and extension services to equip them with the necessary skills for successful coffee cultivation.
Additionally, Oparanya said the government has allocated Ksh 10 billion to guarantee timely payments to farmers upon delivering their coffee.
“This intervention aims to eliminate past delays that discouraged many from coffee farming,” Oparanya said. “I have set aside 20 acres in Likuyani to start coffee farming myself.”
Recognizing the need for efficient processing, plans are also in place to establish a coffee mini-factory in Kakamega.
This facility will not only ease processing and logistics but also enable farmers to earn better prices by reducing transportation costs and middlemen’s influence.
Through these measures, the government aims to restore confidence in coffee farming and make it a profitable venture for farmers in the region.
“The government will recruit 1,200 youths to help with coffee planting and maintenance,” Oparanya said.
He added, “Women will receive specialized training on harvesting techniques to improve coffee quality.”
Additionally, each household is encouraged to keep grade cows to support coffee farming through organic manure, further enhancing sustainability.
Political leaders in Kakamega have thrown their weight behind the coffee revitalization program, pledging to support its implementation at the grassroots level.
Lurambi MP Bishop Titus Khamala revealed his personal commitment to dedicating 10 acres to coffee farming.
“We support the President’s efforts to rectify the economic injustices that have held us back. It’s time for Western Kenya to embrace diversification and move away from over-reliance on maize and sugarcane,” he said.
His sentiments were echoed by Khwisero MP Christopher Aseka, who called on the government to increase the budget for coffee seedlings.
“The demand is high, and we need enough seedlings for every willing farmer,” Aseka noted.
However, this is not the first time Kakamega farmers have ventured into coffee farming.
Many years ago, they embraced coffee cultivation, leading to the establishment of the Kibuma Coffee Factory.
The factory was built through a joint effort by Sweden, Norway, and Britain under the Scandinavian Care Foundation.
It was meant to support farmers in Western Kenya by providing processing facilities and improving coffee quality for better market value.
Unfortunately, due to mismanagement, delayed payments, and the lack of strong cooperatives, Kibuma Factory collapsed.
This left many farmers disillusioned, forcing them to abandon coffee farming in favor of maize and sugarcane.
Now, with renewed government support and international partnerships, farmers are hopeful that history will not repeat itself.
The coffee revitalization initiative aims to address past mistakes by ensuring timely payments, strengthening cooperatives, and providing farmers with technical support.
Beyond local benefits, Oparanya stressed the global significance of coffee farming.
“Coffee is the second most valuable commodity in the world after oil. If properly managed, it can be a game-changer for our farmers,” he said.
He highlighted Kenya’s participation in international coffee forums, including a recent meeting in Tanzania, where 25 nations, including Ethiopia, discussed coffee’s economic potential.
“Ethiopia earns a trillion shillings annually from coffee exports. There is no reason why Kenya cannot achieve similar success,” he remarked.
The government’s commitment to revitalizing coffee farming in Kakamega County signals a brighter future for farmers.
With proper support, training, and cooperative involvement, coffee farming is set to transform the region’s economy.
The push for diversification, increased government funding, and the establishment of a coffee research facility will ensure that coffee farming in Western Kenya becomes a sustainable and profitable venture.
