Italy backs Kenya’s push to revitalise coffee industry

MICHAEL OMONDI-KNA

Kenya has partnered with Italy to construct a coffee training centre at the Coffee Research Institute, a move aimed at revitalising the sector and enhancing productivity, quality, and climate resilience through improved farming practices.

Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mutahi Kagwe, announced that the government is targeting to double coffee production from the current 49,000 MT.

He said the government will invest in farmer training, research, and strategic partnerships. 

He noted that the initiative will also drive value addition, support market diversification, and encourage expansion of coffee farming into emerging regions beyond the traditional highlands.

Additionally, Kagwe also stressed the need for farmer-centered financing models that lower production costs and align with the realities of agricultural cycles, urging financial institutions to develop responsive products tailored to farmers’ needs.

“Strengthening research and promoting suitable coffee varieties will be key to increasing both yield and quality,” he asserted.

Equally, Kagwe highlighted the commitment of the Kenyan Government to revitalizing the coffee value chain with a clear focus on small-scale farmers.