Rise of world coffee prices a boon for Kenya

  • 6 years ago
Nairobi, KENYA, Feb 19 - The meteoric rise of world coffee prices is creating a stir in the Kenyan industry.

Farmers who had abandoned the crop and new comers to the trade are all scrambling for seedlings from the Coffee Research Foundation (CRF) at Jacaranda in Ruiru.

And as Kenya positions itself to take advantage of the upward trajectory, women farmers now want a piece of the action.

Director of Research at the foundation, Dr Joseph Kimemia says they are working to develop varieties that produce high yields, are disease resistant and produce high quality cherry.

Speaking at the Ruiru Coffee Fair - 2011, Dr Kimemia said: "The research that we do is what gives us an edge. Kenya continues to produce very high quality coffee."

"We develop the methodologies of management in the nursery and subsequently planting on the farms; how to protect against diseases and pests, how to harvest, process and even how to roast," he added.