Counties

Laikipia ventures into coffee tending to boost revenue

coffee

Laikipia does not have a major cash crop and relies on pastoralism and tourism as key sources of revenue. file photo | nmg

Laikipia County is working on a five-year plan to turn the region into a coffee producing zone.

County Agriculture executive Jane Putunoi said some 100 farmers from Githiga and Marmanet wards had received 22,500 seedlings.

“We distributed some 10,000 coffee seedlings free of charge to farmers over the weekend. Our target is to give out 30,000 seedlings and the procurement process is on course,” said Ms Putunoi. Each farmer is given 200 seedlings.

“Coffee does well in Ng’arua division and we want to promote it as a cash crop.

‘‘The programme comes to an end in 2021 when the county government will have put up a factory to pulp and dry cherries,” she said.

Ms Putunoi said that a few farmers have been growing the crop which they sell to Sagana Coffee Mills.

“Coffee is a major cash crop in the country and ours is to empower farmers through supporting them in production and marketing,” she said.

The county does not have a major cash crop and relies on pastoralism and tourism as key sources of revenue.