Restoring Farmer Confidence in Regenerative Coffee Production
In the verdant heartlands of the Mount Kenya region, often referred to as the 'champagne' region of Kenyan coffee, local coffee exporter Rockbern Coffee has partnered with Trabocca to source coffee directly from the Thiriku Coffee Growers Cooperative. The goal of this partnership is to deliver an innovative sourcing model that prioritizes smallholder livelihoods and regenerates the coffee growing landscape in the region.
The smallholder farmers of the Thiriku Cooperative grow coffee close to the Aberdare and Mount Kenya ranges. The forests of these mountain ranges form two of Kenya’s main water catchments and the source of two of the country’s largest rivers, the Tana and Ewaso Nyiro. However, deforestation and land degradation in the area have contributed to a decline in coffee production levels by more than 60% from peak production in 1987. Additionally, the lack of transparency around coffee pricing and low farmgate prices have caused a general decline in Kenyan smallholders’ confidence in coffee as a means to earn a decent living.
In response to these challenges, Rockbern and Trabocca are implementing a land rejuvenation programme in the area which ensures that farmers receive a fair price for their coffee. The cooperative benefits from an offtake guarantee, assuring farmers of a higher price for their coffee; 40 shillings/kg more than the average market price.
Image Source: Rockbern Coffee
The Thiriku farmers grow coffee across 477 hectares of landscape on the slopes of Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Mountain range.
The global upheaval wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic sent shockwaves through Kenya's coffee sector, impacting both farmers and exporters. In a study conducted by Technoserve, 76% of Kenyan coffee households reported losing income as a result of the pandemic, and 94% of farmers felt financially worse off than a year before. Financial institutions grew hesitant to support coffee ventures, creating financial constraints for Rockbern and threatening their direct trade agreement with the Thiriku farmers and Trabocca.
In our latest case study, we explain how Regeneration’s Rebuild Facility returnable grant supported Rockbern with essential working capital and provided income security and agroforestry trainings for 1,192 Thiriku Cooperative farmers. The grant also supported Rockbern and Trabocca to expand land restoration efforts in the Mount Kenya region.