By Jackline Mauta
Coffee farmers in Kirinyaga County, Kenya, are rewriting the narrative of declining yields. For years, the region’s once-celebrated SL28 variety suffered under the weight of poor management, Coffee Leaf Rust, and Coffee Berry Disease (CBD). Yields had plummeted to a mere 270 kg of cherries per acre, threatening the livelihoods of local smallholders.
A groundbreaking three-year coffee rehabilitation programme, a collaboration between FIPS Africa and AgRevive, was launched to tackle this crisis head-on. The initiative is built on a practical, affordable, and sustainable three-point action plan designed to restore productivity and profitability to these essential farms.
The first critical step involves switching to resilient, disease-resistant varieties. Farmers are cutting back their old SL stems and grafting them with Ruiru 11 scions. This new variety is naturally resistant to both leaf rust and CBD, effectively safeguarding future yields while also preserving local pollinator health and biodiversity.
Optimising plant density is the programme’s second pillar. By strategically interplanting new Ruiru 11 seedlings between existing bushes, farmers are increasing the total plant population to around 800 bushes per acre. This ensures a more productive canopy, maximising the use of available land.
The third, and perhaps most impactful, step focuses on restoring soil health. Each coffee bush is treated annually with one debe of manure. This is complemented by a twice-yearly application of the specialized WonderGro soil conditioner and fertiliser. This targeted nutrition is boosting soil vitality and plant performance.
The results speak for themselves. The programme is now projecting remarkable yields of 10 kg of cherries per bush, translating to an astonishing 8,000 kg per acre. This represents a massive increase from the previous 270 kg average, with the potential to reach an incredible 20 kg per bush under optimal management practices.
According to Paul Seward of AgRevive, this success is a powerful testament to the right approach. “It’s very encouraging,” Seward notes. “Despite high fertiliser prices and below-average rainfall, with the right steps, coffee farmers can increase productivity and reduce input costs.”
This transformation is about more than just numbers, it’s about building resilience. The initiative is not only boosting yields but also improving cherry quality, securing better livelihoods, and ensuring a profitable and sustainable future for smallholder coffee farmers in the region.