This year’s theme for World coffee day is “Coffee, your daily ritual, our shared journey.” With
emphasis on the hashtags #ICD2024#embracingcollaboration. Celebrated globally on 1 st October
every year, this day aims to honor coffee’s rich heritage and the pivotal role farmers’ play in
producing one of the world’s finest coffees. This celebration aims to bring together coffee
farmers, coffee lovers, stakeholders and government officials to reflect on the progress,
challenges and future in various coffee sectors. International Coffee Day serves as an important
platform for farmers to showcase their produce, share innovations, and discuss strategies for
boosting productivity and sustainability within the industry.
Kenya’s contribution to Coffee’s industry
Kenya is renowned for its premium Arabica coffee, grown primarily in high-altitude regions
across Africa, Asia, Central, and South America. Arabica, although more expensive, is preferred
for its superior taste, which is less bitter than Robusta. Beyond its flavor, Arabica is known for
its medicinal properties, making it highly sought after in the global market. Kenya’s coffee sector
supports over 700,000 smallholder farmers, many of whom are represented by the Kenya
National Farmers’ Federation (KENAFF). An exemplary case is the Chemeker Farmers’
Cooperative Society (FCS) in Cheptais, Bungoma County. This is one Farm Forestry Producer
Organization (FFPO) that is supported by KENAFF and Food and Agriculture Organization’s
(FAO) under the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) project; that targets Farm Forestry Producer
Organizations (FFPOs) in six counties.
Over the past decade, Chemeker FCS has significantly enhanced the livelihoods of local
farmers, employing five permanent staff and 20 casual workers. Through its efforts, coffee
production has grown from 250,000 kg to 674,000 kg, and farmers’ payment rates have
increased from Ksh. 20 to Ksh. 78 per kilogram. Chemeker FCS is one of many cooperatives
across Kenya driving the production and consumption of coffee. Another project that supports
coffee farmers through KENAFF is the Pathways to Prosperity (P2P) project that targets Nandi,
Kericho, Kisii, Nyamira, Bungoma, Transzoia and Bomet counties. The seven- year project aims
to support and collaborate with 4,810 MSMEs/service providers (760 direct, 4,050 indirect) to
enhance service delivery and market access for smallholder coffee farmers.
Challenges facing small-holder coffee farmers
Despite the celebration, smallholder farmers face several challenges. There is limited access to
lucrative markets with some farmers forced to sell their coffee in black markets which results in
low earnings and demotivation. Financial constraints also impede cooperatives’ ability to
purchase essential farm inputs like fertilizers, while pests, diseases, and soil infertility negatively
affect coffee quality and yields.
Furthermore, international regulations such as the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation
(EUDR) are influencing Kenya’s coffee sector. The EUDR mandates that exporters demonstrate
their products are not linked to deforestation or environmental harm. Given that the EU is a
major market for Kenyan coffee, compliance with these regulations is essential for the sector’s
future.
Clarion call.
To mark this noble day, the Kenya National Farmers’ Federation KENAFF calls upon various
agricultural bodies to work towards meeting the European Union Deforestation Regulation’s
(EUDR) sustainability standards with the emphasis on sustainable farming practices,
agroforestry and environmental conservation that are key to ensure Kenya’s coffee remain
competitive in the global market while aligning with green deal policies.
