Coffee farmers in Trans Nzoia county to benefit from ‘climate victims to climate heroes’

Coffee farmers in Trans Nzoia county are set to benefit from climate change the initiative dubbed ‘climate victims to climate heroes’ under the Solidaridad organization.

Speaking during the official launch of the program in the county, Trans Nzoia county CEC member for Agriculture Livestock and fisheries, Phanice Khatundi said the program is in line with the areas Governor George Natembea’s manifesto.

“As we all know the country is facing a challenge with climate change in more than 23 counties across the country facing hunger due to climatic variations,”said Khatundi.

Khatundi being the CEC of the Kenyan bread basket county,stated that she is ready to join hands with relevant stakeholders who have plans to support such programs to make sure that the county is does not become a victim of climate change.

The CEC said the county government is in agreement with organization projection with a bid to assist coffee farmers in Trans Nzoia County in combating climate change.
“ I want to believe that we know and are aware of how important coffee is to the western world , in Kenya we just take it casually but in the European world coffee is very precious and how I wish we enlighten our people of the price,”said Khatundi.

She acknowledged the partnership of solidaridad with the county government over the past two years in matters educating coffee farmers , on proper propagation of coffee seedlings that has since helped boost coffee production in Muroki and Kapretwa coffee cooperatives being one of the best in the county.
The CEC Agriculture noted that her department has come up with agricultural crop act that has set up rules and regulations to curb seedlings which don’t meet standards.

Solidaridad Regional Project coordinator Steven Kithuka said that the project is about building resilience within the farming systems that focuses on addressing issues on effects of climate change.

Mr.Kithuka said that within the coffee farming systems ,they want to introduce agroforestry which can be fruit trees like macadamia and avocado or timber trees such as quilveria and other trees that are compatible based on research with coffee so as to look into diversifying farming and earning more.

He said that the county risks of hunger if the issue of climate change is not addressed properly.
“Trans Nzoia being a food basket for the country ,we risk extreme hunger , extreme under production of agricultural commodities not only for coffee but other food crops if the issue of climate change is not addressed,” said Kithuka.

Mr.Kithuka applauded the presidents initiative to plant 15 million trees adding that the Solidaridad project will plant 2 million trees to contribute on the forest cover.