Coffee Famers Urged To Join Cooperative Societies To Eliminate Cartels
By Isabella Maua
Coffee farmers in Mt. Elgon have been advised to join cooperative societies so as to learn more about best farming practices and cut down on brokers and cartels in the industry.
During a farmers learning day on Wednesday at Kaptama, courtesy of the Kenya National Farmers Federation (KENAFF) and Solidaridad, the farmers admitted to lack basic information on how best to handle coffee farming and get ready markets due to the emergence of many brokers along the production chain.
James Kiptoo is a seasoned coffee farmer living in Kaptama, and he observes that the crop, which was once a profitable venture, has in the recent past been invaded by cartels, and the farmer has no place to enjoy the fruits of his labour.
“We may bring our coffee berries to the cooperative society, but we know for sure that the money we get has been deducted more than five times before it reaches our pockets because of many brokers,” lamented Kiptoo.
Dorcas Kioko of KENAFF accentuated the need for farmers to register with them so as to gain knowledge on planting, seedling handling, pesticides, and compost manure use.
“Besides teaching them, we want to bridge the gap between buyers and farmers by introducing them to market linkages through the Pathways to Prosperity initiative,” reiterated Kioko.
Charles Okwiri of Solidaridad noted that it is crucial for farmers to embrace trainings conducted across the country through cooperative societies since relying on extension officers from the government has become an uphill task.
“We are teaching farmers countrywide about climate-smart agriculture and assisting them in marketing their products; that’s why we have today come here with sales directorates,” divulged Okwiri.
He further reveals that nowadays the government extension officers only offer services on a need basis, making it difficult for farmers, especially those in the interior parts, to access the necessary information they need.
“We have trained lead farmers from all electorate zones who will be teaching their peers about sustainable farming and related coffee issues in collaboration with the county government of Bungoma,” Okwiri said.
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