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| Archive News from Ndumberi Co-operative Coffee Improvement Project - February 2007 |
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| Apart from two or so torrential downpours, February was generally scorching hot. This short dry spell is good for coffee for it provides the much needed water stress that will induce flowering at the onset of the long rains in March. Most Ndumberi farmers, who are now done with the main coffee pruning are looking forward to the start of the rains. Quite a good number of farmers are applying foliar fertilisers to revitalise their trees in readiness for the start of the rains. Farmers are also scouting for pests with a few applying pesticides to control any pest that may damage their next crop. |
| In related coffee news, the Nairobi Coffee auction shows the entry of new Coffee marketers among them Sasini Tea and Coffee, Tropical farms limited and Sangana Commodities(K) Limited. Many more are expected to join the auction in the near future. Ndumberi Co-op’s Coffee was auctioned through Sangana Commodities for the first time, where premium AA grade fetched USD 202 per 50 kg clean coffee. Ndumberi will sell more coffee through direct sales contract to FOUR SQUARE. |
| Elsewhere, political temperatures are rising fast in Kenya as the main political parties hold marathon rallies drumming for support ahead of the general elections to be held late this year. The race is narrowing to a two-horse competition between the current President's supporters lead by the NARC Kenya party and formers allies turned bitter rivals, ODM Kenya Party. |
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| Ndumberi Co-op's farmers turned up in large numbers to attend an AGM held at Ndumberi Main Wet Mill and attended by several invited guests that included Catherine Mbuki, the Deputy District Co-operative Officer and Julius Ng'ang'a, Sustainability Coordinator for Sangana Commodities. |
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| Farmers were delighted with achievements made by the Co-op. Cherry yields have increased from 0.4 million kg to 1.2 million kg. Farmers' payments skyrocketed from an average of Ksh 9 per a kilo of cherry to Ksh 21. The Co-op was also awarded Utz Certification, the business partnership with FOUR SQUARE and Sangana grew by leaps and bounds and for the 2000 plus Ndumberi farmers the future may never look brighter. |
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| At the AGM meeting, three members of the management committee who were due for re-election were voted back unopposed. The three, who included the long serving treasurer Stanley Kihiu and equally experienced secretary to the board Samuel Karuiuki, were given a mandate to sit in the board for another one 3 year term. |
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| During the AGM, the achievements already made through the FOUR SQUARE Coffee Improvement Project were outlined. Farmers were all smiles after it was revealed that FOUR SQUARE and Ecom Foundation have set aside funds for a basic health facility at the Riabai Mill site. |
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| Ndumberi Co-op is now connected to the internet thanks to the World Bank / CSN project. Disclosing the good news to the farmers, Ndumberi Co-op's Chairman, Raymond Gitau also revealed that the World Bank/ CSN are willing to extend the project for another 1 year. |
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| Following an impressive increase in coffee yields, the government through the coffee cess funds has agreed to repair an access road leading to Ndumberi Wet Mill at cost of Ksh 500,000 (USD 7,140). The government charges a statutory coffee cess levy of 1% from all the coffee sales, the money is supposed to assist in maintaining access roads in coffee growing areas. |
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| Speaking during the AGM held on 17th February, Catherine Mbuki, Kiambu Deputy District Co-operative Officer thanked the Ndumberi Management for the good work done in the year ended 30th September 2006. Catherine also took the opportunity to warn other Co-ops in the area that are not paying their farmers the mandatory 80% of net coffee proceeds received by the co-ops. |
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| By joining the Utz Kapeh programme, Ndumberi coffee farmers have shown their commitment to responsible coffee production. All the Wet Mills in Ndumberi are Utz Kapeh certified. Coffee producers with this certification comply with the Utz Kapeh Code of conduct: an internationally recognised set of criteria for socially and environmentally coffee growing practices, efficient and professional farm management and traceability. 'We are assuring our buyers that Ndumberi coffee is not only one of the top Kenya coffees but is also produced under responsible conditions. We are also committed to continuous improvement' states Raymond, the Co-op Chairman. |
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| We provide regular newsletters on our projects in Kenya. Read recent and archive news from the Ndumberi Co-operative Coffee Improvement Project. |
| » Read the current news from Ndumberi |
| » More archive newsletters from Ndumberi |
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