Lusaka Decries Low Coffee Prices in Kenya, Calls For Improvement On Global Market
Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka, who is also the Council of Governor’s Agriculture Committee Chair has decried exploitation of coffee farmers, calling for global improvement.
Speaking during a high level coffee exposure tour to Colombia, the World’s greatest producer of coffee, Lusaka observed that exploitation of farmers who are the key pillar in the value chain is the cause of declined coffee production in the country.
“About 31 out of 47 Counties in Kenya are coffee producers. Our coffee is top notch and we should not be struggling with markets.The penetration of cartels in the coffee sector has really demotivated our farmers”,He Said.
The COG Agriculture Chair pointed out the need for the National Government to weed out coffee cartels who have been the biggest setback on farmers value chain addition.
“The biggest obstacle we have in the Country is the invasion by cartels in the agriculture sector.This is denying farmers the chance to enjoy the fruits of their hard farm produce.The Government needs to move with speed to get rid of cartels inflating the coffee sector”, Said Lusaka.
He hailed Colombia for leading from the top in coffee production while adding that the best practices, experience and knowledge acquired from the high level coffee exposure visit will be implemented in betterment of Kenyan coffee growers livelihoods.
“This working visit has been an eye opener. As we head back home, we will purpose to improve the livelihoods of our farmers through value chain addition”,He affirmed.
Lusaka further committed, through the COG Agriculture Committe to see to an improvement in the global coffee market by strengthening research, coffee marketing, value chain addition and extension for the benefit of Kenyan coffee farmers.
He expressed optimism in revival of Kenya’s coffee market, noting that forged bilateral collaboration between Kenya and Colombia will work magic in the global economy.
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