Wilfred Ochengo does not regret venturing into coffee farming a decade ago. It has been rewarding and he has even begun expanding his estate.
Mr Ochengo has about 8,000 coffee trees in his Rerutus Farms in Bonchari and Kitutu Chache North constituencies in Kisii County.
“I bought more land last year and now have about 10 acres,” he says.
The farmer does wet mill processing with his pulping machine. This reduces deductions by Kisii Farmers Cooperative Union and Sasini Tea and Coffee Ltd, his main customers.
“After pulping, I get the shells back and incorporate them in the organic manure,” he says.
He says every bush produces between five and seven kilogrammes of berries. Fifty kilos of clean beans go for at least Sh25,000.
With the three acres, Mr Ochengo would get up to Sh1.2 million per season.
“With continued improved farming practices, I expect to get 10 to 15 kilos per tree,” he says.
“We use Ruiru 11 as the stock and SL-28 the scion. The two blend well to produce high quality berries,” he says.
Ruiru 11 usually has shallow roots but when grafted with SL 28, it develops roots which go deep into the soil. It is resistant to common diseases and is highly productive.
Rerutus farm manager Isaiah Rori says coffee berry disease and leaf rust ravage the crop. Common pests include berry borer, aphids, antestia bug, stem borers and Kenya mealybugs.
“When weeding manually, we avoid disturbing the roots. A fork is the best tool for manual weeding,” he says.
He adds that during the dry season, workers use foliar spray to supplement the plants nutrients not present in the soil.
“Before the trees flower, we apply NPK basal or ground fertiliser. NPK encourages chlorophyll formation, berry expansion and berry ripening,” Mr Rori says, adding that coffee production is about management.
“After about six years, change the cycle by cutting part of the bush to allow new suckers in order to rejuvenate production,” he advises.
He says routine pruning of the bushes is also important as it does away with unwanted growths such as suckers.
Mr Ochengo says pruning saves on chemical usage when spraying. It also destroys breeding grounds for pests. The crop gets maximum nutrition as it does not compete with unnecessary branches.
Mr Rori says mulching around young bushes suppresses weeds and conserves moisture. The mulch becomes manure after decomposing.
For good yields, one should get certified seedlings from the Coffee Research Institute or licensed nurseries.
The use of organic manure is key right from planting, Mr Rori says.
“The holes should measure two by two feet and are prepared during dry season,” he says.
“Put one debe of organic manure in the hole and add 100 grams of DAP fertiliser. Heap the soil back and then plant the seedling.”
Six months after planting, the farmer should apply 100 grams of CAN fertiliser per seedling to encourage growth.
The change is as a result of competition from other enterprises, changing consumer preferences, land subdivision and huge debts incurred by saccos.
About 3,000 hectares are under coffee in Kisii. Governor James Ongwae says his administration is focused on reviving the industry.
“I constituted a task force four years ago and will begin implementing its recommendations,” he says.
County Agriculture director Nathan Soire says middlemen and illegal transactions gobble farmers’ profits.
The Coffee Research Institute substation serves as a growing advisory centre for Kisii, Nyamira, Bomet, Homa Bay, Migori and Narok counties.
NPK fertiliser is applied as it encourages berry expansion, formation of chlorophyl and berry ripening. Ensure free air circulation in the farm by pruning.
