Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya wants to increase coffee cultivation, by increasing land under coffee from the current 2,535ha to 10,000ha by 2023.
Speaking on Sunday October 1 at the Muroki Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative Society offices, Natembeya stated that his administration is working towards increasing coffee production, referencing Trans-Nzoia County, which he said its production was below potential.
“It is indeed illogical for a county like Trans Nzoia to be ranked among counties with low coffee production when we have all the potential. We must all strive to return this county to where it should be,” he said.
Natembeya further promised to provide training for farmers, to ensure they acquire the necessary skills and information in matters coffee farming.
“My administration is committed to training farmers in best farming practices and sustainability, as well as capacity building to transform them into agripreneurs,” he said.
The Trans-Nzoia governor cited that over-exploitation of farmers by middlemen due to lack of proper regulations had contributed to the decline in coffee production.
Natembeya lastly promised to talk to the National Government and have them increase the subsidies for fertilizer and other farm inputs.
Last season, Kenyan farmers produced over 36,000 metric tonnes of coffee, which earned the country Sh17.4 billion, with Trans Nzoia producing about 749 tonnes valued at Sh215 million.
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