Leaders and coffee farmers in Murang'a have called on the government to revamp the coffee sector by writing off all debts, including historical ones.
The members of parliament from the coffee-growing areas noted that writing off the debts will enhance profitability while encouraging more farmers to join the venture.
Further, they argued, the waiver will rejuvenate the struggling sector and boost the livelihoods of numerous coffee farmers in the country.
Speaking at Njumbi high school grounds in Mathioya constituency during a NGAAF economic empowerment forum, Nominated MP Sabina Chege urged the government to extend the same courtesy it had extended to sugarcane farmers by writing off coffee farmers debts. "For many years we have seen sugarcane farmers enjoying waivers from the government and we ask that the same be extended to farmers in this region so as to revamp the sector," she said, adding, "Reforms to stabilize the sector and make it profitable have been put in place, but that this is not enough as huge debts continue to cripple the sector." Chege also urged the farmers to ensure they carry out correct farming practices in order to increase production. "Today we have come with a fast-maturing coffee species whose production and resistant to pests and disease is high and we will continue to support you even as we enjoy the coffee reforms put in place by the government," continued Chege, adding, "we have seen an increase in cherry prices, with many societies paying above Sh 100 and we encourage you to leverage on these reforms." Echoing similar sentiments, Murang'a County Woman representative Betty Maina called on the government to move with speed and settle the over Sh 6.9 billion in debt owed by coffee farmers. "As we wait for the government to write off these debts, I urge you to focus on improving coffee production by planting more improved coffee varieties, which will translate into more returns on investment," she observed, noting coffee farmers rarely get subsidized fertilizer, but with the ongoing reforms in the coffee sub sector, the government should consider availing cheap fertilizer which will help improve production.
