Aasai

Farmers in Uasin Gishu County are being urged to embrace coffee farming as a viable path to prosperity, thanks to a new partnership between Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii and his Laikipia counterpart Joshua Irungu. The two leaders are championing crop diversification by encouraging a shift away from traditional cereal farming towards high-value crops such as coffee, macadamia, and avocado.

During a recent event in Eldoret, where Irungu presided over the distribution of coffee seedlings to local farmers, the governors emphasized the need to view agriculture as a commercial enterprise rather than just a means of food production. They cited the growing global demand for coffee and the potential for significantly higher earnings compared to conventional crops like maize.

Governor Irungu, whose county of Laikipia is a major producer of coffee, urged Uasin Gishu farmers to consider the long-term benefits of switching to high-value crops. He pointed out that an acre of maize typically generates under KSh100,000 annually, whereas the same acreage under coffee can yield over KSh1 million. Moreover, he highlighted that maize only offers seasonal employment, while coffee farming provides year-round job opportunities, thus ensuring stable livelihoods for many households.

Echoing these sentiments, Governor Bii announced a bold initiative to distribute more than one million coffee seedlings across Uasin Gishu. He noted that while maize remains an important crop for food security, it is no longer economically sustainable for most farmers. Bii emphasized the need to tap into the global coffee market, which offers lucrative opportunities for well-prepared farmers.

“We are working closely with the national government and other partners to ensure we have enough seedlings for our farmers,” Bii said. “The future of agriculture lies in value addition and smart crop choices. Coffee is the game-changer we’ve been waiting for.”

This renewed push for diversification is part of the county’s broader agricultural development agenda, supported under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) programme. The initiative promotes climate-smart farming practices and biodiversity conservation by encouraging farmers to grow crops that are more resilient and profitable. Through this programme, the county has also distributed an additional 66,000 coffee seedlings, 2,000 macadamia seedlings, and 1,000 avocado seedlings in various wards, including Besiobor in Turbo Subcounty.

Bii’s efforts fall in line with his Nguzo Kumi Blueprint, where biodiversity and economic empowerment are key pillars. The strategy aims to revolutionize agriculture in the region, particularly in areas that have traditionally focused on maize and wheat production.

So far, over 8,000 farmers in Uasin Gishu have embraced the shift towards high-value crops. According to county officials, this number is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years as more farmers witness the tangible benefits of the new farming approach. The transformation is not only enhancing food and income security but also aligning with global efforts to combat climate change.

The program is also targeting the youth, with the county government pledging full support for young farmers involved in nurturing seedlings and managing farms. Governor Bii believes empowering the youth is critical to sustaining this agricultural revolution.

One of the beneficiaries of the programme, Mzee Joel, shared his gratitude and optimism for the future. “I thank the governor and the county government for this support. We’ve formed a cooperative and embraced coffee farming wholeheartedly. We now seek assistance in establishing a processing plant as we prepare to become future millionaires and export our produce,” he said.

The governors collaborative efforts signal a new dawn for Uasin Gishu’s farming community. By steering agriculture towards profitability, sustainability, and resilience, the county is poised to become a model of transformation for other regions. The message is clear: the future is in coffee, and the time to plant is now.