Waiguru welcomes roll out of coffee cherry advance revolving funds and other initiatives to revitalize sector
Council of Governors (COG) Chairperson Anne Waiguru has pledged to support ongoing National government’s initiatives torevamp coffee sector in the Country.
Waiguru welcomed the roll-out of the Coffee Cherry Advance Revolving Fund saying the kitty will go a long way in providingaffordable, sustainable and accessible cherry advance to small holder coffee growers.
The governor said the initiative which echoes the Guarantee Minimum Returns policy that was promised to coffee farmers by the Kenya Kwanza administration is in line with the Bottom-up- Economic Transformation Agenda.
“We also appreciate the government’s effort in enhancing the fund to the current Ksh. 4 billion to allow for a wider reach to our farmers, both the ones selling through our registered coffee cooperative societies or the small holder coffee estates with milling agreement with a registered miller in Kenya,” Waiguruadded.
In a statement read by her Deputy David Githanda, duringmeeting to sensitize farmers on the revolving fund at General Kassam Stadium, in Kianyaga, Waiguru however called for further enhancement of the Coffee Cherry Advance Revolving Fund. She said the Kshs. 4 billion allocated may not be able to adequately cover the farmers requirements.
While appreciating the efforts made by the government to restore the coffee sector, Waiguru noted that the cherry production in Kirinyaga alone may go beyond 60 million kgs of cherry and therefore additional funding would be required if this is replicated in other counties.
She said her administration is supporting farmers to increase coffee production through easy access to the Government’s subsidized fertilizer and other farm inputs, extension services, marketing and value addition.
“As the county government we will continue supporting our farmers in adoption of good agricultural practices that will enable them not only increase on production but also in producing high grade cherry that will fetch them better pay,” she said.
The governor noted that the department of Agriculture has established coffee nurseries with Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate (KEPHIS) certification to help coffee growers get the best variety for planting so as to increase production.
Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises Simon Chelugui said enhancement of revolving kitty was part of government’s efforts to restoring the coffee sector’s glory.
He said the Coffee Cherry Advance Revolving Fund will enable farmers to receive Sh 80 up from Sh 20 per kilo.
The CS asked farmers to support reforms initiatives being undertaken by the government so as to revamp the sector.
He said the sensitization fora is part of the government initiative to revamp and restore the sector’s glory.
