Journey To Put Kenyan Coffee In The Global Market
The Council of Governors in collaboration with the National Government has begun a campaign to position Kenyan Coffee in the global space.
During a tour to Colombia , the World ‘s greatest producer of coffee, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Co-operatives and Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Simon Chelugui together with Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka who is also the COG Agriculture Chair, emphasized the need for Kenya to explore world market through good farming practices, research and development to increase coffee production and enhance farmers value chain.
“Kenya has one of the best Arabic Coffee in the world but has not been able to position itself in the Global market “, Said Lusaka.
The COG Agriculture Chair noted that the only way the Kenyan coffee will sprout in the global market is by ensuring that farmers invest in production to increase the quality to compete favourably with first world class coffee growing countries like Colombia.
“We need to improve on our coffee quality, create the best systems that will benefit farmers directly to better their livelihoods”,He reiterated .
Governor Lusaka further highlighted COGs commitment of empowering farmers through value chain addition and ensuring coffee farmers are also enumerated for the National Government’s subsidy farm input programs to increase production and more money in their pockets.
“We are working around the clock to change the culture of farmer exploitation by setting the best price standards on the global market”,He affirmed.
Lusaka further added that best practices and knowledge acquired from the Colombia high level coffee exposure visit will go along way in acting as a learning experience for coffee growing counties .
“31 out of 47 Counties in Kenya are coffee producers. Our coffee is top notch and we should not be struggling with markets “, He Said.
Also in attendance ;Nyeri Governor, H.E Hon. Edward Mutahi Kahiga, Vincent Marangu, Director Cooperatives Bank, Hon. Patrick Kilemi, Principal Secretary, MSMEs, Michael Timothy , CEO New Kenya Planters Cooperative Union, Jane Kathuku, CEO Kenya Co-operative Coffee among others.