Elgeyo marakwet: The Elgeyo Marakwet County Government has launched a coffee production programme aimed at enhancing agricultural output by distributing 30,000 Ruiru 11 coffee seedlings to the Sambirir Farmers Cooperative Society. This initiative underscores the county's commitment to wealth creation and agricultural diversification.
According to Kenya News Agency, County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Edwin Kibor, announced the programme at the Embo-Kachebii coffee nursery. He emphasized the importance of making quality seedlings affordable through subsidised pricing, ensuring that farmers can access disease-free planting materials suited to the local agro-ecological conditions.
Kibor highlighted that previous issues with externally sourced seedlings, which often failed due to environmental incompatibility, have been addressed by establishing a local nursery. This strategy not only guarantees varietal purity but also ensures seedlings are ready for immediate planting, enhancing site-specific adaptation.
The chosen Ruiru 11 coffee variety is notable for its disease resistance and high yield potential, making it ideal for the mid-altitude zones of Sambirir. The nursery, with seeds sourced directly from the Kenya Coffee Research Institute, is set to cover 30 acres in this phase of distribution.
The distribution process involves collaboration with the Sambirir Farmers Cooperative, ensuring that only committed farmers with prepared land, verified by cooperative officials and agricultural extension officers, receive the seedlings. This approach aims to filter participants through a nominal fee of Sh 20 per seedling, promoting commitment and preparation among farmers.
Plans for the programme also include facilitating benchmarking tours for farmers to learn best practices in coffee cultivation, post-harvest handling, and value addition from established coffee-growing regions.
Paul Suter, Sambirir Ward MCA, explained that the subsidised model replaced the previous free distribution system due to neglect and wastage of seedlings. The current goal is to propagate 100 kilogrammes of seed annually, achieving full coffee coverage in Sambirir Ward within five years.
Suter encouraged youth to engage in coffee agribusiness as a viable career, given the diminishing formal employment opportunities. He noted that coffee, being a perennial cash crop with strong market demand, offers better returns with proper management.
Nahashon Biwott, Farm Manager of the Sambirir Farmers' Cooperative Society, stated that the coffee development programme began last year to bolster economic resilience among cooperative members. He emphasized the importance of accountability and collective benefit by allocating seedlings exclusively to registered members.
Biwott added that any unsold seedlings will be planted on the cooperative's demonstration farm to train farmers in optimal agronomic practices. The initiative aims to ensure each seedling is planted and managed correctly, maximizing economic impact.
The programme is expected to significantly increase coffee acreage in Sambirir Ward, boost farmer incomes, and strengthen the area's role in the national coffee value chain.