Kenyan coffee is renowned globally for its bright and complex flavors. It’s a crucial component of the country’s economy, being the third-largest agricultural export and providing employment for over 600,000 farmers. However, the sector has faced challenges in recent decades. Since the 1987/88 crop year, Kenya has seen a 70% decrease in coffee production. This decline is attributed to erratic weather patterns, decreased water availability, elevated temperatures, and consolidation in the coffee supply chain.

The Kenyan coffee supply chain has come under scrutiny in recent years. The country’s climate has played a part. East Africa has been subject to a number of erratic weather patterns in recent years – which many attribute to climate change. This includes irregular rainfall, decreased water availability, and elevated temperatures, all of which can adversely affect coffee production. On top of this, Kenya’s coffee supply chain has become increasingly consolidated, and certain actors have emerged that have been able to freely profiteer to the detriment of the sector – especially farmers.

Production and Export Value

In the 2021/2022 season, the production of coffee in Kenya inclined to 51.9 thousand metric tons. Despite the decrease in production, coffee remains a critical export crop for the country. In March 2023, Kenya exported coffee valued at approximately 3.8 billion Kenyan shillings (KSh), nearly 27.1 million in U.S. dollars. In 2022, Kenya exported $341M in Coffee, making it the 24th largest exporter of Coffee in the world.

Future Potential of Coffee Farming in Kenya

Despite the challenges, the potential of the Kenyan coffee sector has not been fully exploited. There is high potential for value addition through yield improvements. The current productivity of coffee averages 475 kilos per hectare compared to 970 kilos per hectare recorded in 1963. With the right interventions, there is a potential of over 30 kilograms per tree.

Coffee is one of the most strategic cash crops contributing to Kenya’s economic growth. Kenya had nearly 28 million Ha of agricultural land in 2019. In comparison, the total area under coffee production is estimated to be 119,000 Ha, with about 204 million coffee trees. 70% of Kenyan coffee is produced by smallholders, while the sector employs about 6,000,000 people directly and indirectly. An estimated 800,000 growers, mainly smallholder farmers, are involved in coffee growing.

While the acreage under coffee in Kenya declined over the years by 30% from 170,000 Ha in the 1990s to 119,000 Ha in 2020, the potential of the Kenya coffee sector has not been fully exploited. Coffee production declined by around 70% from 129,000 MT in 1983/84 to 40,000 MT in the same period. The decline was attributed to weak coffee sector systems, lack of extension services, and low coffee prices in comparison to the increasing costs of agri-inputs and livelihoods.

Government Interventions

The Government of Kenya has embarked on plans to revive the coffee sector through various coffee sector structural and market reforms. These include the publication of new general and coffee exchange regulations, operationalization of the Sh.3 billion coffee cherry revolving fund, institutional support, intensive marketing of Kenya coffee, and audit of coffee farmers’ cooperative societies. The government has also launched the National Coffee Farm Inputs Stimulus Package E-subsidy Programme to ease the pressure of accessing farm inputs by coffee farmers.

Challenges Facing Coffee Farming in Kenya

Despite the potential and the government’s efforts, coffee farming in Kenya faces several challenges. These include:

Climate Change

Climate change poses a significant threat to coffee farming in Kenya. Rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall patterns have led to decreased water availability, which is crucial for coffee cultivation. This has resulted in lower yields and increased susceptibility to pests and diseases.

Aging Coffee Trees

Most of the coffee trees in Kenya are over 50 years old and have significantly reduced productivity. The cost of replacing these trees is high, and many smallholder farmers cannot afford it. This has led to a decline in coffee production over the years.

High Cost of Production

The cost of coffee production in Kenya is high compared to other coffee-producing countries. This is due to the high cost of inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides, high labor costs, and the high cost of processing and marketing. These high costs have made Kenyan coffee less competitive in the international market.

Lack of Access to Credit

Many smallholder coffee farmers in Kenya lack access to affordable credit. This has limited their ability to invest in their farms, buy necessary inputs, or adopt new technologies that could increase their productivity.

The Future of Coffee Farming in Kenya

Despite these challenges, the future of coffee farming in Kenya looks promising. The government’s interventions, coupled with the inherent quality of Kenyan coffee, provide a solid foundation for the revitalization of the sector.

Adoption of Sustainable Farming Practices

There is a growing trend towards the adoption of sustainable farming practices among Kenyan coffee farmers. These practices, such as agroforestry and organic farming, not only improve the productivity of the farms but also make them more resilient to climate change.

Value Addition

There is a significant potential for value addition in the Kenyan coffee sector. This includes processing the coffee locally to produce higher-value products such as instant coffee and flavored coffee. This would increase the income of the farmers and make the sector more profitable.

Diversification

Diversification is another strategy that Kenyan coffee farmers are adopting to increase their income. This includes intercropping coffee with other crops such as bananas and dairy farming. This not only provides the farmers with additional income but also makes the farms more resilient to fluctuations in coffee prices.

In conclusion, while there are challenges, the future of coffee farming in Kenya is bright. With the right strategies and support, Kenyan coffee can continue to be a significant contributor to the country’s economy and a source of livelihood for hundreds of thousands of Kenyan farmers. The aroma of Kenyan coffee will continue to delight coffee lovers around the world for many years to come.

Technological Advancements in Coffee Farming

Technological advancements are playing a significant role in shaping the future of coffee farming in Kenya. The use of technology in coffee farming is not only increasing productivity but also improving the quality of the coffee beans.

Use of Drones

Drones are being used in coffee farms for various purposes such as monitoring the health of the coffee plants, spraying pesticides, and even harvesting. The use of drones is reducing the labor cost and increasing the efficiency of the coffee farms.

Digital Platforms

Digital platforms are being used to connect coffee farmers with buyers, eliminating middlemen and ensuring that the farmers get a fair price for their coffee. These platforms are also providing farmers with valuable information such as weather forecasts, market prices, and farming tips.

Precision Farming

Precision farming involves the use of technology to monitor and manage the coffee farms. This includes the use of sensors to monitor soil moisture and nutrient levels, GPS technology to guide the planting and harvesting of the coffee, and data analytics to make informed decisions about the farm.