Seven cooperative societies in Murang’a have received Kes 80 million in funding to help boost coffee production and efficiency during processing in factories.

Each coffee society will get Kes 7.5 million which will help provide subsidies towards the increase of coffee production, which has been declining over recent years.

The funding is through a partnership between the World Bank and Murang’a county government that targets to enable each factory to get an eco-pulping machine to help reduce water consumption and wastage of coffee beans.

Governor Dr Irungu Kang’ata said the support will help farmers increase production, saying currently, coffee bushes produce about three kilos while issuing the cheques.

“With availability of subsidised inputs, farmers will help to increase production to more than 10 kilos of coffee. Modernization of our factories will also help reduce wastage thus increasing farmers’ returns,” he said.

The money, which is channelled through the National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP), will also help in renovating coffee factories which majority are dilapidated.

 The County Executive Member for Agriculture Mr Kiringai Kamau, has sid that the societies which benefited from the funds include, Ruchu-Gacharage, Kangunu, Kamacharia, Thangaini, Karurumo, Kangiri and Kanganda.

“The money will help renovate coffee storage tanks by installing tiles, install security equipment and also enable farmers to get cheap fertiliser,” he said.

Kamau spoke during the occasion held at the county headquarters and expressed concerns over the huge decrease in coffee production in Murang’a, saying the county administration is working on various measures to increase production.

“Some years back, the county used to produce 600, 000 metric tonnes of coffee annually, but this has gone down to about 200, 000 metric tonnes. With the help from the World Bank, we aim to increase coffee production,” said Kamau.

Kamau further said his department is working out to spearhead the value addition of coffee, saying some factories have already started roasting and packing coffee for local consumption.