More farmers in Siaya County, Kenya have been urged to adopt the growing of Robusta coffee as a cash crop. The area CEC for Agriculture, Dr. Elizabeth Odhiambo, made the call observing that only 60 acres of the crop has been planted, against a potential of 3,000 acres.
Dr. Odhiambo said the county government would provide farmers with coffee seedlings free of charge, as the Coffee Directorate monitors adherence to growing standards and finding market for the produce.
“We are committed to expand the crop’s acreage. Many farmers abandoned the growing of coffee over twenty years ago, because of mismanagement of cooperatives that were marketing their produce,” said Dr. Odhiambo.
Good earnings
“However, we are urging farmers to take advantage of the new initiative to spare land for the crop. With the adherence to the recommended crop husbandry, one coffee bush would produce between 50-100 kg of berries in the third year, earning at least Sh2, 000 with the price of Sh40 per kg. One acre carries at least 500 coffee trees, which would earn sh1 million per harvest,” she added.
Coffee is one of the most important cash crops in Kenya. It is grown in large scale plantations (42,000 ha from 2001-2005) as well as by small scale holders (128,000 ha from 2001-2005) giving a total production of about 50,000 tons annually. The main variety in Kenya is Arabica coffee.
About 70% coffee of Kenyan coffee is produced by small scale farmers. It is estimated 6million Kenyans are employed directly or indirectly by the check coffee sector. Major growing areas are the high plateau of Mt kenya, aberdare ranges, kisii, nyanza, bungoma, nakuru, kericho, machakos, taita hill and coast provinces.
