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Brighter Tomorrow at Origin

Current News from Ndumberi Co-operative Coffee Improvement Project - May 2007

General

Ndumberi received scattered showers over the month of May. Farmers took advantage of the rains to apply a round of nitrogen fertiliser which will enhance berry expansion for the main crop. Most of the labour was assigned to weeding and slashing of weeds which emerged after the start of the long rains. Light pruning, locally referred to as 'handling and desuckering' and mainly involving the removal of excessive vegetation and unwanted suckers also ranked high on farmers list of activities for the month.

Harvesting of early Crop begins

The harvesting of early crop has begun in earnest with each Wet Mill receiving a few thousand kilos of cherry. Harvesting will continue in the months of June and July and will end in August. Most of this crop will dry in September ready to go to market thereafter. "This time around we estimate that our early crop will top 250 tons of cherry, doubling our year 2006 figure that stood at 112 tons" states Mr Mbugua, Ndumberi Co-op Secretary Manager. Over 80% of Ndumberi's harvest is normally the late crop coffee that is picked in the months of October to December.

Kenyan Dawn is received well at origin

Kenyan Dawn™, a sustainable product from the FLAVIA® range of products, was well received at Origin. Employees of Sangana Commodities Kenya limited, a firm managing the Ndumberi Coffee Improvement Project on behalf of Mars drinks, and Ndumberi farmers were able to sample the quality product for the first time courtesy of Mars drinks. During a project inspection trip to Kenya early this year, Mars drinks promised to donate a coffee brewing machine from FLAVIA and some packs of Kenyan Dawn to the Co-op.

Sampling Kenyan Dawn for the first time, the Sangana coffee quality team was impressed by the product. Mr Simon Mahinda, the Chief Liquorer, describing Kenyan Dawn said "the product has perfect balance between body, acidity and aroma with a lemon flavour and an interesting sweet aftertaste that leaves you craving for another sip"

Sangana staff members were also impressed by the coffee brewing technology applied by FLAVIA and were very reluctant to see the coffee brewing machine off to Ndumberi Co-op.

At Ndumberi the entire management committee members and the Co-op's staff were at hand to receive their samples of Kenyan Dawn. Mr Julius Ng'ang'a, Sustainability Coordinator for Sangana Commodities demonstrated how to assemble the FLAVIA Coffee Machine and the steps necessary to make a fine cup of coffee. The mood was celebratory as every person jostled for a cup. "Convey our many thanks to Mars drinks for sending us the coffee brewing machine and samples of the Kenyan Dawn which we consider as our own product. The quality is superb and many of our members needed no sugar added in their cups. Consumers of Kenyan Dawn can rest assured that this wonderful product not only taste good but is responsibly produced to Utz standards" said Mr Gitau, the Co-op's Chairman, as he sipped from his cup.

Mars drinks supports a health Clinic at the Co-op

The construction of the eagerly awaited Riabai Clinic, sponsored by Mars drinks and co-funded by Ecom Foundation has started at Riabai Wet Mill. Mars drinks, as part of its commitment to improving living standards at origin, agreed to fund and equip a health clinic at Ndumberi Co-op to cater for over 2500 farmers and their families.

Nguka Contractors won the tender after competitive tendering carried out by the Co-op. Seven contractors responded and Nguka was selected by the project Committee as the best suited for the work. Already the foundation work has started and the clinic is expected to be operational later in the year.

Ndumberi is quickly growing into a model Co-op

Ndumberi Co-op is quickly growing into a model Co-op which is transparent and managed as a business unit to maximise returns for cherries delivered by its member farmers. The co-op is lucky to have a chairman who is focussed on good management practices.

The chairman's effort and contribution in steering Ndumberi Co-op and the entire Co-operative movement in the Kiambu district have been recognised by the State authorities and culminated in the award of a national medal by the President of the Republic of Kenya.

Mr Gitau was presented his HSC medal by the minister of Co-operatives Development and Marketing, Hon Njeru Ndwiga.

Ndumberi Co-op is committed to sustainable coffee production

We provide regular newsletters on our projects in Kenya. Read recent and archive news from the Ndumberi Co-operative Coffee Improvement Project.

» April '07 Newsletter	» Special Report
» March '07 Newsletter	» January '07 Newsletter
» February '07 Newsletter	» December '06 Newsletter

» More archive newsletters from Ndumberi

Ndumberi farmers are committed to sustainable coffee production. By achieving Utz Certification the Co-op has demonstrated that its coffee is produced to acceptable international environmental and social standards. "We take extra care of our soils and environment. We are also growing more shade trees and we are using more organic manure and fewer chemicals. Most importantly we are now better trained and committed to continuous improvement" states Mr Njonge, a respected promoter farmer.