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New KPCU Strategic Plan 2023-2027 launch aims at Boosting Coffee sector and enhancing farmer support

The  New Kenya Planters Cooperative Union (New KPCU) has launched its Strategic Plan 2023-2027 which aims at increasing coffee production  in the country.

The  Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Wycliffe Oparanya highlighted coffee’s crucial role in Kenya’s economic landscape. Speaking at the event, Oparanya described coffee as not only one of the country’s primary foreign exchange earners but also a lifeline for over 800,000 farmers and millions more involved in the broader coffee value chain. This sector, he noted, directly contributes to Kenya’s rural development by supporting livelihoods in coffee-growing regions.

Oparanya stressed that the coffee sector is integral to Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), particularly within the Agriculture and MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) pillars. Through BETA, the government is strengthening support for the coffee industry and ensuring cooperatives play a central role. According to Oparanya, cooperatives like New KPCU facilitate critical services, including access to credit, investment resources, and efficient marketing channels, which are vital for farmers aiming to reach both local and international markets. He emphasized that by empowering cooperatives, the government hopes to boost productivity and ensure fair prices, thereby improving farmers’ economic well-being.

New KPCU’s strategic plan reflects these goals by focusing on efficiency and modernization. Key initiatives in the plan include infrastructure upgrades, particularly for milling facilities, which are essential for maintaining quality and supporting higher production volumes. New KPCU is also establishing a specialized marketing department to support farmers by connecting them with buyers, which should streamline distribution and improve earnings for members. Additionally, the cooperative plans to apply for a Direct Sales Agency License, which would allow it to sell coffee directly, circumventing some of the middlemen and maximizing profits for farmers.

However, Oparanya acknowledged challenges within the sector. Despite a rise in exports, which reached nearly 48,000 metric tons in the last coffee year, production volumes have recently declined, primarily due to unpredictable weather and the natural cycles of coffee production. This has sparked efforts to introduce resilience measures, such as debt waivers for coffee cooperatives and access to the Coffee Advance Revolving Fund, which supports farmers in managing seasonal fluctuations.

This  strategic plan aims to revitalize Kenya’s coffee industry by modernizing processes, enhancing market access, and supporting rural communities,a  mission aligned with Kenya’s broader economic transformation goals.

Moureen Koech

Moureen Koech

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