Chuka coffee growers receive 10,000 high-yield seedlings

DICKSON MWITI AND CHRISTINE NGITORI-KNA

The Government has launched an ambitious coffee revitalization programme in Tharaka Nithi County, aiming to distribute 20 million high-yield seedlings to boost production and revive the once-thriving sector.

The programme was officially launched at Mitheru Coffee Society in Chuka and drew a large number of coffee farmers from across the region.

During the launch, farmers received a total of 10,000 high-yield coffee seedlings to support increased production.

Charles Mutwiri Mkarimu, Director of New Kenya Planters Co-operative Union PLC (New KPCU), urged farmers to embrace the new high-yielding coffee varieties, noting their potential to significantly increase productivity compared to older trees.

Mkarimu explained that traditional coffee varieties currently produce an average of about two kilograms per tree, while the new seedlings can yield more than 20 kilograms per tree when properly managed.

“Currently many farmers are harvesting very little from their coffee trees, but with these improved seedlings and proper management practices, farmers can increase their production significantly,” he said.

He noted that farmers who register with their cooperative societies will receive the seedlings free of charge.

The cooperative societies will keep records of the beneficiaries and submit them to New KPCU to facilitate organized distribution.