Origin: Kenya
Region: Western Kenya
Town: Mukuyuni, Bungoma
Owner: 3,250+ farmers delivering to Nakoyonjo Factory
Co-Op / Washing Station: Nakoyonjo Factory
Varietal: Blue Mountain , K7, Ruiru 11, SL28
Grade: AA
Altitude: 1700 - 1800masl
Harvest: May - July
Processing: Fully Washed
Tasting Notes: Blueberry, Kiwi and tarte Apple notes
The Nakoyonjo Farmers’ Cooperative Society (FCS) has a rich history and a strong commitment to empowering farmers in Kenya. Established in 1956, the FCS was founded with the goal of providing farmers with access to new markets and better services. The cooperative’s name is a tribute to the Koyonjo people, who used to live on the land where the FCS now stands.
Through the FCS, farmers have access to a range of services that help improve their livelihoods. These services include agronomic training, advice from agronomists, coffee marketing, and financial services. Today, the FCS has over 3,290 members who deliver cherry to their factory.
One of the key aspects of the FCS is its focus on sustainable and responsible farming practices. The farmers who deliver to the Nakoyonjo washing station primarily cultivate two varieties of coffee: SL28 and SL34. These cultivars were originally released by Scott Agricultural Laboratories (SAL) in the 1930s and 1940s and have since become the go-to trees for many growers in Kenya. This is due to their deep root structure, which allows them to maximize scarce water resources and flourish even without irrigation.
The FCS also encourages its members to follow Good Agricultural Practices, with a particular emphasis on minimal environmental impact. This means using natural fertilizers and pesticides, practicing shade-grown farming methods, and implementing proper waste management techniques.
In recent years, the FCS has also started promoting the cultivation of new varieties of coffee. One of these is Ruiru 11, which is known for its disease resistance and high yields. It is also unique in that it starts yielding fruit after just two years, making it a popular choice among farmers.
Another variety that is gaining popularity among the FCS members is K7. This variety, which is found mostly in Kenya and Tanzania, is known for its resistance to two common coffee diseases – Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR) and Coffee Berry Disease (CBD). K7 also has high yields and good cup potential at high altitudes. It is easily recognizable by its branch’s wide spread and was selected from seedlings on Legetet Estate in Muhorohi, an estate owned by a man named R.H. Walker.
While K7 is less common in high altitude areas in Kenya, it remains a popular choice in some lower altitude regions due to its slight resistance to CLR. The variety was first introduced to East Africa in 1894 through Malawi and Rwanda and to West Kenya in 1913.
Lastly, the FCS also supports the cultivation of the Blue Mountain variety. This Typica mutation was first found and cultivated in Jamaica’s Blue Mountains and has since become popular in Hawaii, where it is known as “Guatemala.” The variety was also introduced to East Africa in the late 19th century, and today it is widely cultivated in Rwanda and Malawi.
In conclusion, the Nakoyonjo Farmers’ Cooperative Society has played a crucial role in empowering farmers in Kenya. Through its various services and support for sustainable farming practices, the FCS has helped its members access new markets and improve their livelihoods. With the introduction of new coffee varieties, the FCS continues to evolve and adapt to the changing needs and demands of the coffee industry.
