Coffee farmer’s trade fair held in Elgeyo Marakwet County

BY CORRESPONDENT

Coffee farmers in Elgeyo Marakwet County have been urged to form and join coffee unions to get better deals from buyers.

Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich has encouraged coffee farmers cooperatives to come together to form unions across the county as a form of marketing tool.

Speaking during a coffee farmers fair organized by the county government and World Vision International that was held in Iten Grounds recently governor Rotich noted that farmers have previously been given poor deals due

MERU COUNTY

to lack of a union to defend them.

“Coffee farmers in this county have been exploited by buyers due to lack of a union to determine the cost of selling coffee to factories. We want this to come to an end” Rotich noted.

The Governor said that following farmers selling their produce individually they have always fetched poor prices due to the lack of a body that regulates and negotiates on behalf of them.

With all the factors in place the governor has appealed to the thousands of farmers to come together and form an Elgeyo Marakwet County Coffee Union.

He further noted that more farmers will be given seedlings to start growing coffee in the hanging valley in a bid to give livelihood to the community while promoting environmental conservation.

The County government will organize field days targeting farmers at the Ward level in order to reach more farmers.

In partnership with the Coffee society they will be registering all coffee farmers while training a lead farmer to train 20 other farmers.

Dickson Kithinji from the World Vision Imara Programme has encouraged more farmers to take part in growing coffee because it plays more than one role.

Kithinji who is a climate change and carbon specialist has noted that with the adoption of coffee more effort will be given in fighting the adverse effects of climate change.

“Coffee is becoming not only a good cash crop but also it is contributing to climate change adaptation and mitigation since coffee enables agroforestry” he noted.

He further said that with the adverse effects of climate change he encouraged more farmers to adopt organic farming in their farms.

Meru County partners with Israel to leverage on sustainable agriculture

BY CORRESPONDENT

The County government of Meru held bilateral talks with Israel Government on potentials areas of collaboration with aim of achieving mutual benefits for Meru residents.

Meru Deputy Governor Rev Mutuma M’Ethingia hosted a delegation on behalf of Governor Kawira Mwangaza led by Mr Or Gabriel a represen-

NAKURU COUNTY tative of AVNON Group from Israel where they held fruitful discussions on matters Agriculture and food security in general.

“Our county stands to gain significantly from this partnership, particularly in the agriculture sector where we hope to leverage innovative farming solutions and food technology programs to support sustainable agri- culture”, he added.

Additionally, the partnership will see Meru County benefit from AVNON Group's expertise in security sector, capacity building and development training programs to enhance security in the region.

“This aligns perfectly with our Governor's manifesto and will lead to increased profitability and employ- ment opportunities”, he noted. In attendance were County Secretary Dr. Kiambi Atheru, Chief Officer of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Akwalu Mugambi, Chief Officer of Public Service Management and Administration James Mutia, Chief Officer Education Joyce Kagwiria, Ag. Chief Officer Youth and Sports Ms. Monica Kagwima among other officials.