Baringo county government has donated five coffee pulping machines worth Sh 2.5 million to farmers in Baringo Central, Baringo South and Koibatek sub-counties.
The machines which pulps 700kg of coffee berries per hour is part of the county government’s plan of boosting the initial stages of coffee processing.
It is also meant for promoting the livelihoods of the farmers especially in beneficiary areas of Kabimoi, Ng’etmoi, Sirwa, Mochongoi and Kibagenge areas where the machines will be stationed.
Officiating the commissioning of the machines at Seretunin Kapkawa Coffee farm in Baringo Central, Governor Stanley Kiptis told local coffee farmers to intensify the growing of the cash crop as the county still continues to enjoy a direct sales contract to South Korea through World Best Friends which has been there for the last three seasons.
“The advantage the coffee farmers have is that they have been assured of direct sales contract marketing to Korea for up to 10 containers of 18 tons each which is 18, 000 tons yearly,” said governor Kiptis.
He said that the contract had been made successful following an agreement between the Baringo county government and the World Best Friends of South Korea and Baringo County Cooperative Union.
Kiptis said his government was working hand-in-hand with the agriculture team to provide coffee seeds, seedlings and rehabilitate factories and enhancing farmers technical skills through capacity building and training.
During the occasion, the governor who was accompanied by county officials from relevant departments also launched the distribution of 28, 000 coffee seedlings to various farmers.
The governor challenged the local youth who have graduated from various colleges and universities but are still unemployed, to participate in farming since they are energetic compared to the aged who are less productive.
By Pauline Nasimiyu/Joshua Kibet
