Nyanja Factory, a key coffee-processing facility is operated by the Baragwi Farmers’ Cooperative Society.
The cooperative’s coffee production has grown from 10 million kilograms in 2023–2024 to 13 million kilograms in 2025–2026, with farmers targeting 16 million kilograms this season.
The cooperative says continued timely government payments could help drive production beyond 20 million kilograms within the next two years, strengthening farmer incomes and the local coffee industry.
Justus Janja, Deputy Manager of the Baragwi Farmers’ Co-operative Society, inspects parchment coffee drying on elevated tables under the sun. The cooperative expects to process more than 16 million kilogrammes of coffee cherries this season, buoyed by improved government payment structures, and is targeting more than 20 million kilogrammes within the next two years. PHOTO/FILEJohn Ndamberi, a retired coffee farmer, tends to his coffee trees amid lush green foliage. What began as a way of supplementing his salary during his working years has grown into his primary livelihood. With an average annual harvest of about 80,000 kilogrammes of coffee cherries, Ndamberi says coffee farming has enabled him to educate his children and build a fulfilling retirement rooted in the land.Coffee parchment dries under the sun on raised beds at Nyanja Factory, part of the Baragwi Farmers’ Co-operative Society in Kirinyaga County. PHOTO/FILERose Njoki says coffee farming is more than a livelihood; it sustains her home, feeds her family and enables her to invest in her farm. “Kenyan coffee has such a wonderful taste, and everything we have comes from coffee money,” she says. PHOTO/FILEPeter Gichovi, Factory Manager, inspects coffee parchment drying at the factory. Last season, the factory processed approximately 1.1 million kilogrammes of coffee, with production targeted to rise to 1.2 million kilogrammes this season.Processed parchment coffee dries under the warm sun on a raised drying bed. Each batch represents the careful transition from harvest to roasting, with patience and meticulous handling helping preserve the qualities that make Kenyan coffee prized around the world. For farmers, every harvest supports rural livelihoods and sustains communities built around coffee. PHOTO/ FILEThe Baragwi Farmers’ Co-operative Society Ltd building proudly displays the values that guide its farming community. With a vision centred on producing premium Kenyan coffee and a mission focused on quality and sustainable growth, the cooperative lives by its motto: “Production with Difference.” PHOTO/FILESimon Muchira reflects on the changes in Kenya’s coffee sector, recalling a time when low payments discouraged many farmers from continuing with the crop. He says improved access to farm inputs, including fertiliser and pesticides, alongside better coffee prices, has renewed confidence among growers. For Muchira, the improved earnings are helping farmers meet household needs, educate their children and invest in their farms. PHOTO/FILE
Wiltord Otieno is a passionate journalist at The Kenya Times with a keen eye for impactful stories. He specializes in sports writing, digital content, and storytelling that informs and inspires. Wiltord is driven by curiosity, delivering clear, engaging narratives that inform, challenge, and inspire audiences, and always ready to grow in this fast-evolving media landscape. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from The Technical University of Kenya. He can be reached at [email protected]
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