Kenya is partnering with Italy to construct a coffee training centre at the Coffee Research Institute to revitalise the sector and enhance productivity, quality and climate resilience through improved farming practices.

Speaking during the ground-breaking ceremony in Ruiru, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development Mutahi Kagwe announced that the country is targeting to double coffee production from the current 49,000 metric tonnes by investing in farmer training, research and strategic partnerships.

Mr Kagwe noted that the initiative will also drive value addition, support market diversification and encourage expansion of coffee farming into emerging regions beyond the traditional highlands.

Kagwe also addressed the need for farmer-centred financing models that lower production costs and align with the realities of agricultural cycles, urging financial institutions to develop responsive products tailored to farmer needs.

“Strengthening research and promoting suitable coffee varieties will be key to increasing both yield and quality,” he explained.

The minister highlighted the commitment of the Kenya to revitalising the coffee value chain with a clear focus on small-scale farmers. He observed that persistent challenges that include climate change, limited access to appropriate technologies and constrained financing hinder productivity.

He outlined ongoing reforms to restructure the coffee subsector to align with farmer capacities, opening up new coffee-growing zones to boost production and ensuring the country meets both local and export demand.

He revealed plans to harmonise financial frameworks to offer farmers more favourable credit terms, including lower interest rates and grace periods to support sustainable investment.

Italian Director General for Development Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Stephano Gatti termed the partnership timely and mutually beneficial, underlining the shared cultural significance of coffee and its potential to improve farmer incomes while strengthening bilateral relations.

Reaffirming Italy’s commitment to strengthening agricultural partnerships with Kenya, he underscored the importance of a farmer-centred approach and expressed readiness to expand market access for Kenyan coffee in Italy.

Gatti further noted that the collaboration would extend beyond coffee to include other strategic value chains such as wheat, tea, edible oils, animal feeds and dairy, reflecting a broader vision for agricultural development.

Meanwhile, Chair of the Board of Management of KALRO Thuo Mathenge addressed the institution’s central role in driving research-led agricultural transformation.

He assured stakeholders of KALRO’s full support in the implementation of the proposed programmes, emphasising the organisation’s capacity to generate and disseminate innovative technologies across both crop and livestock sectors.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Michael Omondi