Nyeri County Government allocates 100 million for construction of a coffee mill to save farmers from exploitation by private millers

Nyeri County Government allocates 100 million for construction of a coffee mill to save farmers from exploitation by private millers

Nyeri county government plans to construct coffee mills to save farmers from exploitation by private millers, Governor Nderitu Gachagua has said. He said some millers take duo role of milling and marketing the commodity thereby impoverishing farmers.

Gachagua said already the county has allocated more than Sh100 million towards the project that will see construction of a mill in Mathira and expansion of other mills in Mukurwe-ini and Othaya.

He said his administration will not be cowed by multinational firms who own the mills. “It is unfortunate that when we started the joint coffee milling and marketing initiative, we were somehow frustrated by multinationals, who funded rebellion among some farmers.

However, I want to assure farmers that we will make it,’’ said Gachagua adding that despite challenges, farmers are doing well with some factories paying as high as Sh80 per kilo of cherry delivered. Under the Coffee Act 2001, growers are required to appoint a marketing agent with whom they sign a contract for a minimum of one year.

Millers are appointed and contracted by farmers to classify the coffee by bean size, to mill and grade it according to cup quality, and dispatch it to the marketer in readiness for auction to roasters and blenders. Millers set their own fees but the cost can, however, be considerably higher than indicated depending on other services that may be provided, such as drying and colour sorting.