Gachagua assures coffee farmers of sustained implementation of reforms as government explores way to resolve the debts

He said he was chairing a team comp/rising of cabinet secretaries Simon Chelugui( Cooperatives) and Prof Njuguna Ndung’u(Treasury) looking at ways to address the coffee farmers debts.

He added that the government is taking more actions to spur the farmers’ income in the coffee industry.

The Deputy President spoke at Ikundu farm when he commissioned a  Murang’a Coffee Milling plant at Mbombo where he assured farmers that in a month’s time the issue surrounding coffee debts will be presented to President William Ruto.

“The issue on debt is a month after a section of leaders from coffee-growing counties called on the government to bail out the growers from debts,” said Gachagua.

The debts he disclosed, are owed by coffee farmers to financial lenders and buyers. Mr Gachagua added that the government has defeated the cartels and unscrupulous brokers that had infiltrated the coffee sub-sector.”I was instructed by President William Ruto to lead the reforms and we are doing well. We have cornered and defeated the cartels and export earnings have doubled in the last one year,” said the Deputy President.

He explained that the aim of the government’s interventions in the sub-sector, such as increment of the Cherry Fund from Sh4 billion to Sh6 billion, distribution of subsidised fertiliser and search for more foreign markets, is to boost farmers’ earnings and boost the rural economy.

The MPs praised the Deputy President over speedy reforms in the agriculture industry expressing confidence that he will conquer. Kangema MP, Peter Kihungi and his Kigumo counterpart Joseph Munyoro said the National Assembly was in support of the ongoing reforms in the agricultural sector to boost rural economy and small-scale farmers.

DP was accompanied by CS Chelugui, Murang’a Governor Dr Irungu Kang’ata, MPs host Mary Wamaua,Senators John Methu (Nyandarua), Karungo Thang’wa (Kiambu) and Veronica Maina (Nominated). Others were Sabina Chege, Michael Muchira (Ol Jorok MP), Mohammed Ali (Nyali) and Edward Muriu (Gatanga),

New KPCU managing director Timothy Mirugi, Acting CEO Nairobi Coffee Exchange Ms Lisper Ndung’u.
In his remarks, the Deputy President lauded CS Chelugui over his participation in the reforms in the coffee industry and the other crops such as avocado and macadamia farming.

He further commended the Murang’a farmers union over construction of the ultra-modern coffee mill.
The Deputy President said the facility will mitigate and caution the growers from high milling losses, unbiased grading of the beans and coffee traceability. He said the farmers-owned factory will also enhance production and data management to inform strategic decisions.