The County Government of Siaya is keen on reviving coffee growing in the county saying there is potential to put 3,000 acres under coffee production.
The county government of is supporting about 250 farmers in Ndenga, West Ugenya Ward who organized themselves and formed the Ugenya Coffee Growers Cooperative Society. This is for easier mobilization of more members, more efficient access to agricultural inputs such as seeds, chemicals, fertilizer and aggregation of produce.
According to the Chairperson, Francis Onyango, the County Government of Siaya through the Department of Agriculture recently gave them 3,000 coffee seedlings to awaken the growing of this valuable cash crop. He says that almost all the members have at least 20 trees in their farms and the number is expected to increase further soon.
“With adherence to the recommended crop husbandry guidelines, one coffee bush would produce between 50 – 100 kg of berries in the third year, earning at least Kshs. 2,000 with the price of KES. 40 per Kg. One acre carries at least 500 coffee trees which would easily earn the farmer KES. 1 million per harvest”, said CECM for Agriculture, Food Security, Livestock & Blue Economy – Hon. K’Okoth Sylvestre while on a consultative meeting and field visit with the management team of the Ugenya Cooperative.
He promised to coordinate with the National Government through the Agriculture & Food Authority (AFA) and KALRO to ensure that the members receive additional seedlings for onward distribution to more farmers.
Additionally, the Department of Agriculture- County Government of Siaya will enhance extension service delivery, mobilize more farmers to embrace coffee farming and influence timely availability of fertilizers and other inputs to help reduce production costs.
The county administration under Governor James Orengo says it has prioritized Agriculture as the main pillar for its economic and industrial revolution and is assuring farmers that Siaya has the potential for growing this important cash crop and therefore farmers should consider this value chain towards economically transforming their lives.
Many farmers in the county abandoned the growing of coffee over twenty years ago, citing the mismanagement of cooperatives that were marketing their produce.
