Slide 1
(learnt through Fair Trade Organization of Kenya) Coffee
Productivity Challenge A. Contact DetailsApplicant name:SAMWEL
GATUMU KAUGIName of the organisation (if any):RIANJAGI FARMERS
CO-OP SOCIETYType of organisation (producer organisation, NGO,
company etc.):PRODUCERNumber of farmers represented:1680
Region that you work in:MERU
COUNTYCountry:KENYAE-mail:[email protected]:0721995796/0751995796Website
(if available):B. Most limiting constraints
Lack of capital for firm inputsThe firm input consist of
fertilizers and chemicals, many peasant farmers lack funds to
purchase inputs thus leading poor feeding of coffee and infections
by various diseases e.g. C.B.D, leaf rust and bright. Also pests
such as mealy bugs, antestia bugs, scale thus leading to
destruction and result to low production and of poor quality.
Lack of knowledge in coffee husbandlyMany of the farmers dont
have the skills as G.A.P is considered, application of manure,
fertilizer, spraying of chemicals, de-suckering and pruning.
Improper applications of the above procedures lead to low
production.
Poor weather conditionsUn predictable weather conditions where
by the dry spell prolongs and affect coffee in many ways e.g. the
pests like thrips tend to destroy coffee during this time. Diseases
such as leaf rust also destroy coffee most due to dry weather.
Coffee berries develop poorly or even fails due to lack of water
since water is vital for bean development so bad weather lead to
low production.
C)strategy to increase coffee productivity-Good agricultural
practices (G.A.P) This entails the following.-Fertilizer use:
whether organic or inorganic is usually necessary for achieving
economically viable returns but its important to determine the
application rates on the bases of soil analysis, cropping history
and actual requirement of crop at each stage in its
development.-For smallholders use of organic manure whether animal,
green or mulch it saves cost improve soil structure for roots
establishment. Proper treatment of organic manure is necessary to
ensure food safety and avoid leaching- For chemical fertilizer
timing of application and soil analysis is required for safety and
environmental protection. During application compound fertilizers
should be applied six months before flowering ,e.g. for late crop
it should be applied in month of October during the rains and for
early crop should be applied in month of April. Topdressing
fertilizers should be applied during the berry development this is
to enlarge berries and add water to the tree.
-Foliar spray This should be done as required especially the
month of December .January, February and May, other microelements
such as zinc and boron should be applied in the month of January,
July and August in order to boost the production.-Liming This is
necessary in coffee firms and it depend on soil sampling which
determine the soil p.h if the its above 5 it means the soil is
acidic and require to be reduced to the required level of 4.5 thus
liming is required.
-Pest and deceases control-Use of only approved
formulations.-Avoid use of out dated and expired chemicals.-Use of
approved chemicals and apply recommended quantity.-Spray when
conditions allow avoid wind spread, pollinating insects not flying
this will -reduce pollination leading to lower production. The use
of chemicals as above help to control deceases like leaf rust,
C.B.D and pest such as thrips, scales and mealy bugs which destroy
coffee thus reduction in production. -De-suckering this should be
done to maintain proper crop leaf ratio.-Pruning this is done to
remove the unnecessary trees to have the number required-Weeding
weeds compete with coffee for manure and fertilizer so weeding
should be done in time.-Shade trees should be provided in coffee
firms to provide cover in order to reduce the rate of water
evaporation from the soil.Terracing. This should be done on sloppy
coffee farms in order to avoid erosion whish wash away manure and
fertilizer.
EXTENSION OF STRATEGIES TOWARDS IMPROVED COFFEE
PRODUCTIVITYTraining is necessary to small scale farmers, this was
done continuously in order to sensitize on G.A.P . In society level
a strategy was laid down to train the farmers. 1.) We divided the
number of farmers in to small groups e.g. 50 members, then selected
leaders from those groups who are literate and train them the
G.A.P,these members are the ones to trained others and they
arranged with the group members the convenient days and time to
meet for specific demonstrations such as pruning, de-suckering,
spraying fertilizer application and other relevant practices
required in coffee production.
2.)Members education. These were done in society level and
members were trained various issues concerning the coffee
husbandry, the agricultural officer was invited to train farmers on
coffee farming and environmental concerns.
3. Field days. These were done regularly in farm level whereby
different stakeholders were invited these were: chemical dealers to
train farmers and demonstrate the application of chemicals in
coffee. Also officers from coffee research station were invited in
order to teach farmers on up coming issue regarding coffee e.g.
diseases pests and enlighten the farmers how to cope with them,
also they enlightened farmers on new varieties e.g. Batian which
are more resistance to various pest and diseases.Also farmers wee
trained on soil sampling and its importance -meetings for members
regularly to educate them on new information e.g. coffee
classification and marketing analysis in order to encourage them to
produce more and good coffee.
IMPACTS TO INCREASE COFFEE PRODUCTIVITY
In adaptation of the above strategy farmers have adhered to the
G.A.P and the results are reflected. In the last three years the
productivity has improved in quantity and quality, before the
program most of the members were producing 1 kg per tree and below.
After the program the production has greatly improved to 2 kg and
above.
To measure this many of the members are ordering firm inputs in
big quantities and the ones who never use the inputs started making
use of them, this is after the training which were conducted in the
farm level.
According to the factory manager the quality has improved
managing to get class 3 as compared to previous class 4 and below,
also according to the report the premium grades have increased in
quantity. Grade AA,AB and PB are raging between 75 to
80%.Visitation of coffee farms by field officer the report shows
great change in farm level.
Replication from other organization is that due to our good
performance other societies have been visiting our society to
learn.Also various organization have shown interest to work with
our society e.g. techno serve, fair-trade, Progreso net work and
chemical companies.
Farmers have enjoyed the good pay from their harvest which has
greatly improved.Coffee prices have improved due to high quality
and quantity.The leaving standard of the famers have improved.
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E. Replication by other organizations / farmers
Farmers have enjoyed the good pay from their harvest which has
greatly improved.Coffee prices have improved due to high quality
and quantity.The leaving standard of the famers have improved.
A farmer mulching his coffee
Shaded coffee Bushes
Composting Farmyard manure before applying in the coffee
bushes
Well establish bench terraces in readiness for coffee
establishment sparing indigenous tree
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