Bungoma farmers smell the golden coffee after years of crop neglect

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Chesikaki farmers Cooperative society farm manager Vincent Simiyu and Chief Executive Officer Jackson Kurwa Chebusi operate pulping and coffee pregrading machine. [Mumo Munuve, Standard]

Wesonga observed the 2.5 metres spacing between the coffee trees as recommended by experts to get maximum yields. Arabica coffee also grows well in Kanduyi, Kabuchai, Sirisia, Mt Elgon, and Tongaren constituencies, according to Murunga, who has been practising farming for over three decades.

Poor returns

Initially, coffee from Bungoma would be taken to Thika for processing, and this came with challenges, including cases where its quality was downgraded, resulting in poor returns.

Bungoma County has been busy sourcing for a ready international market for the farmers in Pakistan, Lebanon, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States.

Patrick Khakula, a coffee expert, said that Grade AA at the New York and Nairobi Coffee Auction sold at $800 (Sh112,000) per 50-kilo bag, Grade AB at $316 (Sh44,240), and Grade C at $120 (Sh16,800).

The county can process between 25 to 30 million kilos of coffee cherries annually at Chesikaki and Musese coffee mills.

Both coffee mills procured at Sh28 million each have a combined milling capacity of grinding 2.4 tonnes per hour, translating to 57.6 tonnes per day. Bungoma County has since constructed weighbridges and warehouses within the coffee growing areas at Sh26 million for easy access and transportation.

"Market remains a major challenge, once we get a ready market, our farmers will earn more from coffee compared to their counterparts in Mount Kenya where a kilo of coffee cherries fetch close to Sh200," said Murunga.