With payment for coffee taking over a year to reach the farmer’s pocket, Thuo Mathenge decided to take up the entire coffee value chain as opposed to only the production bit, which has been the focus for many farmers.
Using locally assembled machines, and only importing core parts of the roaster, Mr Thuo has so far managed to process over 30 tonnes of coffee that he produces from his 45 acres.
He attributes the myriad of challenges affecting coffee farming to barons in the sector that have held farmers at ransom.
His coffee is roasted into two types: the dark roast and the medium roast at 100 degrees Celsius and 80 degrees Celsius respectively.
As coffee prices tumble and farmers abandon their plantations, one entrepreneur in Nyeri County has taken matters into his own hands by packaging and marketing his own coffee.
With payment for coffee taking over a year to reach the farmer’s pocket, Thuo Mathenge decided to take up the entire coffee value chain as opposed to only the production bit, which has been the focus for many farmers.
