Senator David Wakoli flagging off tracks distributing the high quality cofffee seedlings to the 10 wards on Saturday …Photo/IP
BUNGOMA, Kenya
Bungoma Senator David Wakoli on Saturday flagged off the distribution of 25,000 high-quality coffee seedlings to farmers across 10 wards in the county.
The initiative is meant to boost coffee production and strengthen livelihoods amid a national recovery in the sector.
The launch at Mabanga Agricultural Training Center (ATC) came just a day after farmers designated as Trainers of Trainers (ToTs) received practical instruction in modern coffee cultivation techniques.
These ToTs will return to their sub-counties and coffee societies to train fellow farmers on planting, pruning, pest management and soil fertility improvement.
“At least 100 farmers in each ward will directly benefit from the free coffee seedlings,” Wakoli said, noting that the initiative marks a critical step toward rebuilding Bungoma’s coffee value chain.
Bungoma’s Coffee Strength
Bungoma remains one of Kenya’s strongest coffee-producing counties, with nearly 38,000 smallholder farmers cultivating more than 6,900 hectares.
In the 2023–2024 season, the county sold over 1.7 million kilograms of coffee worth nearly KSh 1 billion.
Already in the current 2024–2025 season, sales have reached more than 875,000 kilograms, valued at over KSh 700 million.
National Coffee Comeback
Kenya’s coffee sector is on the rebound, with production expected to rise by 13 percent to 850,000 bags in the 2025/26 season.
Exports are projected to grow by 10 percent, reaching 840,000 bags, while domestic consumption is also expanding due to a growing coffee culture in urban centers and increased tourism.
In the last coffee year alone, the country earned almost KSh 40 billion from exports, cementing coffee’s place as one of Kenya’s leading cash crops.
Bigger Agricultural Agenda
The coffee seedlings program is part of Wakoli’s broader agricultural reform agenda, which also includes sugar sector interventions and plans to distribute 20,000 avocado seedlings to diversify farm incomes.
The launch was attended by Agriculture and Food Authority officials, members of the Bungoma County Assembly’s Agriculture Committee and several Bungoma MCAs including Hon. Opwora (Luhya Bwakwe), Meshack Simiyu Musevemi (Mukuyuni), Jack Kawa (Bokoli) as well as representatives from Elgon, Bukembe West, South Kilusiru wards and the County Forest Department.
“Together, we are planting prosperity in every Bungoma household,” Wakoli told the gathering, calling on farmers to embrace modern farming practices to reclaim the county’s standing in Kenya’s coffee economy.
Ends.
