The processing will be done at the county mill situated at Kavutiri from where the County will process and sell coffee thus evading brokers at the auction.
NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 11- Embu County plans to invest in the processing and packaging of branded coffee, tea, milk and macadamia to boost farmers’ earnings.
Governor Martin Wambora says the County will market its coffee in Saudi Arabia and America which guarantees farmers at least Sh100 per kilo.
Speaking in Embu town after touring various processing factories, the Governor said he wanted to expose the sector to international standards so that tea farmers can reap maximum benefits.
The processing will be done at the county mill situated at Kavutiri from where the County will process and sell coffee thus evading brokers at the auction.
“Our coffee will no longer be sold as a commodity but as a speciality. Jamaican and Colombia coffee fetch the best prices because their marketing is better. These other countries are earning more money yet their coffee is inferior to ours,” Wambora added.
The county has hosted 33 international coffee buyers representing eight countries in a move aimed at bringing onboard investors involved in various value addition chains.
Wambora added that he will root for Kenyan coffee when he represents Kenya at the International Coffee Organization Conference.
He also said plans to form a tea development board, which will spearhead sale of the product in the three factories, are in high gear.
“We are going to follow the route of Kericho to help farmers earn more money. The move to create Embu tea board will accelerate competition with private sector. KTDA will be below our board,” he said.
