Faith Masita
The government has announced plans to distribute 20 million disease-resistant coffee seedlings across the country in a renewed push to revive Kenya’s struggling coffee sector and increase production.
Speaking on the initiative, Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya said the program targets smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of Kenya’s coffee industry but have faced years of declining yields due to pests, diseases, and aging trees.
“This intervention is aimed at improving productivity and restoring farmer confidence in coffee farming,” Oparanya said. “By providing disease-resistant seedlings, we are tackling one of the biggest challenges farmers face while also enhancing the quality and quantity of our output.”
The distribution will focus on key coffee-growing regions, with the government working closely with cooperatives and county administrations to ensure equitable access and proper planting practices.
According to the ministry, the new seedling varieties are resistant to common coffee diseases such as Coffee Berry Disease (CBD) and Coffee Leaf Rust, which have historically contributed to significant crop losses. Officials say the move is expected to not only increase yields but also reduce farmers’ reliance on costly chemical controls.
The initiative is part of broader reforms aimed at revitalizing the coffee value chain, improving farmer earnings, and strengthening Kenya’s position in the global coffee market.
“We are not just giving out seedlings; we are investing in the future of our farmers and the sustainability of the sector,” Oparanya added.
Agriculture stakeholders have welcomed the move, noting that access to high-quality planting materials is critical to reversing declining production trends and ensuring long-term resilience in the face of climate change and market pressures.
The rollout is expected to begin in phases, with extension officers set to guide farmers on best agronomic practices to maximize the benefits of the new varieties.
