Co-operatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya has urged in Western Kenya to consider coffee farming to boost income and fight entrenched poverty.
He said coffee has a huge potential and an acre could earn farmers up to Sh2 million compared to Sh150,000 from sugar cane on the same piece of land.
“Coffee is dollar. If a truck ferrying coffee breaks down, it will be guarded by armed police because of its value, while a tractor carrying sugarcane might only have a watchman with a rungu,” Oparanya said, illustrating the stark difference in profitability.
The CS spoke in Navakholo constituency during a cheque issuance event at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC).
Oparanya said farmers in Western, Rift Valley and Nyanza had largely abandoned coffee due to past challenges but urged them to gradually reintroduce the crop as government reforms take effect.
“I am not asking you to abandon cane farming now, but start reducing the acreage slowly while introducing coffee,” he said.
The CS said his ministry had appointed 15 officials to assist interested farmers in forming and registering co-operatives, which would enable them to access free coffee seedlings from the government.
The event saw disbursement of Sh22 million in uwezo, women and youth enterprise funds to groups.
Uwezo Fund disbursed Sh6.3 million, the Women Enterprise Fund Sh6 million and the Youth Enterprise Fund Sh10 million.
MPs Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo), Bernard Shinali (Ikolomani), Nabii Nabwera (Lugari), Fred Ikana (Shinyalu) and Kakamega Woman MP Elsie Muhanda, attended the event.
Oparanya urged youths and women to leverage government empowerment funds to start businesses and contribute to local economic growth.
“You can borrow money at friendly rates, start a business and later access up to Sh2 million from the Kenya Industrial Estate,” he said.
The CS said the second tranche of the Nyota programme, aimed at empowering Western youths, will be disbursed next month.
Beyond economic advice, Oparanya also addressed the issue of political violence, urging leaders to refrain from using youths to disrupt public events or intimidate perceived opponents.
“Youths should not be misused by leaders bent on causing insecurity for personal gains. Let people compete on ideas, not violence,” he said.
by HILTON OTENYO
