Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to revitalizing the coffee sub-sector in the country under the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Speaking on the first day of a three-day coffee reforms conference in Meru County, Gachagua emphasized the need to uplift farmers from poverty considering the favorable prices of coffee in the international market.
Gachagua, speaking on behalf of President William Ruto, expressed unwavering determination to deliver on these reforms and called for collective efforts to ensure their success.
Acknowledging the rich history of Kenyan coffee, which dates back to 1894, he highlighted the superior aroma and distinct flavor that the country’s coffee is renowned for globally.
Gachagua emphasized that their focus is solely on empowering farmers and that coffee is a legacy crop for the Kenya Kwanza Administration.
The deputy president urged legislators to support the government’s proposals for laws and policies aimed at addressing systemic issues within the coffee sub-sector.
He emphasized that the time for cartels in the coffee industry is over and stressed the importance of ensuring that farmers receive 90 to 95 percent of returns from their crops.
Gachagua promised radical reforms to streamline the coffee sector, clarify roles in the production chain, and eradicate exploitative practices targeting farmers.
Moses Kuria, the Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry, echoed the need to rejuvenate the coffee sub-sector and restore it to its former glory.
He reminisced about the past when a membership card of a coffee cooperative society held more credibility than a banker’s cheque due to the lucrative returns from coffee farming.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi expressed optimism that the conference would provide a platform for farmers to voice their concerns and expectations, holding the government accountable for implementing positive reforms.
Linturi emphasized the aim of restoring farmers to the prosperous position they held in the early 1990s and expressed a willingness to listen to coffee farmers and cooperative leaders to gather ideas on how to improve the sector.
The conference serves as a testament to the Kenya Kwanza government’s dedication to revitalizing the coffee sub-sector, ensuring fair returns for farmers, and reclaiming Kenya’s position as a global leader in producing exceptional coffee.
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