The Ndumberi Coop has booked 300 bags of parchment grade one (P1) and 200 bags of grade (P2) and Parchment Lights (PL) for milling at the Socfinaf mill on 4th October. The bean size and parchment colour indicates that better quality coffee is expected from the consignment.

Picking of the main crop normally starts in October and ends in December. Encouraged by the prevailing favourable prices at the auction, the coop management is eager to sell this coffee as soon as possible. 'We are hopeful that the Utz certification for our coffee will result to premium prizes' states Raymond, the Coop chairman.

Stanley Kihiu is a man of few words, a respected farmer and an opinion leader in Riabai Village. Born in 1952, Stanley was born in a small holder coffee growing family. His parents brought up his six siblings and pushed them through secondary school education through payments of coffee cherry delivered to Riabai Wet Mill.

Stanley, with the help of his wife and four children, tends to his 3000 stems of coffee in his mixed Shamba. Last season he delivered over 10,000 Kilograms of cherry to Riabai making him one of the highest producers in the Wet Mill.

Stanley’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. Farmers elected him to the Coops’ board in December 1989; currently he is serving as the Coops treasurer. Stanley has achieved a record as one of the longest serving board members, a fact that is attributed to his honesty and hard work.

'Leading a Coop is challenging, especially when prices are going down and farmers morale is low. Right now, coffee has improved thanks to ongoing projects that are boosting production and favourable prices at the market. I must thank Mars Drinks for assisting to improve our Wet Mills and for sponsoring the Riabai clinic. Everyone is keen to see the clinic opens its door' states Stanley with a lot of anticipation.