National and Taita Taveta County governments have intensified efforts to revive coffee farming in southeast Kenya in renewed push to restore the crop as a key economic activity in the region.

The move follows a public awareness forum in Wundanyi town led by Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and MSME Development Wycliffe Oparanya, who re-affirmed the government’s commitment to revitalising coffee farming in line with ongoing national reforms in the sub-sector.

Addressing farmers drawn from potential coffee-growing in the county, Oparanya said the government is working closely with the county administrations, to revive dormant coffee zones and expand production in areas with untapped potential.

“The government is committed to restoring coffee farming and positioning Kenya as both a leading producer and exporter. We are partnering with county governments to streamline production, strengthen the value chain and revitalise cooperative societies as engines of farmer empowerment,” the cabinet secretary said.

He emphasised that revival efforts will be anchored on strengthening cooperative movements, improving farmer earnings, and enhancing efficiency across the coffee value chain.

New Kenya Planters Co-operative Union is spearheading farmer awareness and capacity-building initiatives promote best agronomic practices and improve production systems, in addition to facilitating market linkages locally and internationally.

Taita Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime welcomed the initiative and noted that coffee farming has the potential to diversify the county’s revenue base and improve household incomes.

“We fully support this initiative by the national government. Coffee farming presents a viable economic opportunity for our farmers and can significantly contribute to the county’s development,” Mwadime said.

Coffee farming in Taita Taveta – particularly in the highland areas of Wundanyi – and the surrounding zones, dates back several decades but declined over the years due to factors such as low returns, weak cooperative structures and farmer shift to alternative crops.

The renewed focus seeks to reverse this trend by reintroducing structured farming systems and strengthening institutional support.

Nationally, the government has rolled-out reforms to increase coffee production and export competitiveness. These include restructuring cooperative societies, improving access to affordable farm inputs, enhancing extension services and reforming marketing systems to ensure better prices for farmers.

The revitalisation programme is part of a broader strategy to increase Kenya’s coffee output and reclaim its position in the global market, as demand for high-quality Arabica coffee continues to grow.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Arnold Linga Masila