A social investment project has seen coffee farmers in Kandara, Murang’a County, increase production by 23 per cent.

They also earned Sh68 per kilo up from Sh20 in previous years on the back of enhanced premium coffee grades currently being produced.

The project which is part of a Nescafe programme implemented by Nestle company in partnership with Coffee Management Services will be replicated countrywide.

According to Nestle director Njeri Ng’entu, this is the third phase of the project, with the first and second phases having benefited over 70,000 farmers.

“We have hired agronomists who are go to the farms to train the farmers on how to take care of their coffee for best results” she said.

Since inception nine years ago, the firm has injected in excess of Sh70 million. The third phase will consume Sh23 million.

The program trains farmers on best farming practices to attract better prices at the global market.

The project is being carried out in 12 coffee cooperative societies in various counties among them Nandi, Murang’a, Kericho and Tharaka Nithi.

“Coffee sector is dominated by men but we are making efforts to bring women on board” she added.

Phyllis Warui, the development and sustainability manager at Coffee Management Services said coffee production has increased by 23 per cent over the past eight years and they are targeting to hit 9.4 metrics tonnes production this year, up from 8.4 metric tonnes delivered last year.