During the plenary session, the discussions centered on the key benefits that recent coffee reforms have brought to the coffee value chain.

The Chairman of the National Coffee Cooperative Union (NACCU) Mr. Felix Mwai highlighted several major advantages for farmers. First, coffee growers have benefited from the government’s fertilizer subsidy, which significantly lowers production costs and boosts farm profitability. Second, the introduction of the Cherry Advance Revolving Fund has enabled farmers to access affordable credit at low interest rates.

Mr. Mwai also commended the adoption of the 2019 regulations, which empower farmers to own and control the value chain—from production to marketing. Under these regulations, farmers now own cooperative societies, mills, and brokerage firms, ensuring the value chain serves the interests of actual growers rather than intermediaries.

Furthermore, the reforms allow farmers to source direct overseas markets rather than relying solely on the Nairobi Coffee Exchange, yielding higher returns for their produce. Under the Direct Settlement System (DSS), farmers are also guaranteed payment within five business days once a coffee transaction is confirmed.

Adding to the discussion, the Chairman of the Coffee Board of Kenya, Mr. Henry Kinyua, noted that these reforms have restored farmer confidence by introducing transparency and predictability across the sector. He emphasized that the marketing process is far clearer today than in previous years when farmers lacked visibility into what happened to their produce after harvest. Mr. Kinyua concluded by thanking the key stakeholders behind the reforms, which have ultimately led to the revitalization of the Coffee Board of Kenya.