Written By Monica Makali ||
Kangundo and Matungulu are part of the eight sub-counties in Machakos County.
They are well known for me the existence of coffee which helped thousands of households to go to school because the coffee produce farmers could fetch good cash, characterized by the cool climate in the regions.
But today, things look to have taken a different direction with most farmers opting to try their luck by trying other crops.
Uzalendo news wanted to know the real issues affecting farmers. We travelled to Kwa Matingi farmers cooperative society in Matungulu.
Farmers here have cleared most of the coffee and are now doing maize and beans. It looks beautiful. rains at the right measures making the area look amazing.
James Mwangangi chairman of this society with over 3000 members explains why they had to clear the coffee plantation.
Mwangangi confirms that most brokers take advantage of the farmers by buying the coffee produce at a lower price and exporting it at a higher cost, thus making farmers very little profit.
Again, part of the same land, members of this society have started planting coffee where they have currently planted 100000 seedlings with an aim of covering 100 acres of their land.
The area chief says they have put strict measures to ensure no one uproots the new seedlings.
The society members have practised forest farming where they’ve grown beans on the same land occupied by coffee as a way of eliminating food insecurity which has been experienced in the country in the last four months.
Adjacent to Kwa Matingi is Kyanzavi Farmers cooperative society Ltd under the leadership of Francis Kalinzoya.
The vocal and elderly leader narrated how coffee was and the current situation…
He accuses the government of the high cost of production.
Kalinzoya says there is a need for the government to help coffee farmers to be able to have direct markets.
A team from the Collective coffee company, World renown Roasters from DCC led by the roasters manager Richard Fades visited Kenya.
They toured coffee-growing areas in Machakos, confirming that the county has the best quality coffee.
They met with members of different leaders who said how sorry they were for farmers due to the middlemen who were benefitting more than them agreeing to directly work with them.
Isaac Nthenge is the area chief and confirms that people are now embracing coffee warning those who may uproot the seedlings being planted by farmers that necessary action will be taken against them.
