With nearly 700,000 coffee producers, roughly 70% of which are smallholder producers, Kenya shines as aunique coffee-producing country in East Africa. Within the Nyeri County is the Ndiaini Coffee Factory, belonging to the Rumukia Farmers’ Cooperative Society (FCS). In Kenya, factories are essentially wet millsand collection points for coffee. The Factory is located near the town of Mukurweini in the Nyeri County. There are roughly 500 small holder producers contributing cherries to this lot, 280 men and 220 women. Producers will typically grow tea, maize, wheat, potato, kale, in addition to coffee whilst also raising cattle for dairyand chickens.Situated atroughly1,850meters above sea level,theregionwhere the Factory is locatedis defined by itsbright red soils, full of rich nutrients for coffee trees. The high altitude allows for cool temperatures and ideal rainfall for the slow maturation of coffee cherries.Producers will add manure, compost, coffee pulp and green manure to enrich their soil.After the producers gather their ripe cherries, they will deliver them to the Factory.Generally, producers only travel 5 kilometers to deliver their coffee, utilizing wheelbarrows, bicycles and motorbikes. Once the cherries reach the mill, they are sorted and then dispersed on raised beds. The cherries remain here to dry in the open sun for 2–4 weeks, or until the moisture content reaches12–13%. In order to prevent the growth ofmold, the cherries are regularly raked, which also ensures an even drying.There are various efforts in place to assist the producers with improving production. Tree planting campaigns, irrigation projects, and climate change mitigation information are some of these initiatives. Waste management is another practice enforced in order to prevent harm to the environment.This lot was sourced by our exporting partner,Kenya Co-operative Coffee Exporters Limited(KCCE), which was founded in June of 2009.The creation of the KCCE was supported by the government in response tothe vital need for coffee producers in Kenya to have more control over the marketing of their coffee in order to increase income.The organization was thus formed to address the many challenges smallholders face inKenya with its main goal to assist with processing, promoting, and marketing the coffee from these producers.By providing technical and advisory services to producers, they are able to help them increase production and quality, which will improve revenue. With more income, producers are thus able to invest more in their farms and communities.
This is also the subscription coffee for the month of September and we only have 1 roast for the general sales. Don't miss out on it!
