PRESS STATEMENT BY H.E. THE GOVERNOR MERU COUNTY,
HON. PETER MUNYA ON SALE AND PAYMENT OF COFFEE BY MERU
COUNTY COFFEE MILLERS COOPERATIVE UNION LIMITED
Meru County Government supported the initiative by the coffee farmers through their respective cooperative societies to have a central milling and marketing for their coffee. The aim is to wade off the exploiting cartels, brokers and middlemen.
I officially presided over the commissioning of the central milling and marketing on 28th February, 2014. The milling plant is under the management of a new Meru County Coffee Millers Cooperative Union Limited, and the marketing arm is Meru County Coffee Marketing Agency.
The first crop under this initiative was milled and sold realizing Ksh 19 million, whereby farmers were paid a minimum of Ksh 40/= per kilogram of the good grades. This encouraged farmers as their quest for the revival of the coffee sector was becoming real and sustainable with the support of county government.
The second crop under the central milling and marketing arrangement was sold during the Nairobi Coffee Exchange realizing Ksh 537 million. Out of this amount, Ksh 79 million had not been paid because of the December festivities. However, the amount received by the union was paid to the respective Coffee Cooperative Societies between December 22nd and 24th, 2014 with firm instructions to the societies to pay farmers advances immediately awaiting final payment upon receipt of the Ksh 79 million which is expected before 10th January. Upon payment we expect the farmers to get from Ksh 55 per kilogram for the good grades.
Most societies have paid the farmers advances ranging from Ksh 20 to 57.90. However, some 10 societies have not paid the farmers any advances, despite the amount being in the Societies bsnk accounts. These societies are; Kangeta, Mutuma, Thangatha, Amukui, Mariara, Gikurua, Gikongoro and Mt. Kenya.
The County Government will take appropriate action to those committees who have not paid the farmers and those who politicize this noble farmer’s initiative.
I emphasize and once more appeal to our farmers to embrace good farming methods and quality coffee for them to reap premium prices for their coffee.
My government also strongly encourages value addition and branding of Meru coffee. This will enable farmers earn even more from their crop. We also encourage stakeholders to initiate the opening of Meru Coffee shops to promote local consumption of coffee as this will be another way of expanding the coffee market.

Ends.