AFA Awards Celebrate the Resilience of Kenyan Coffee Farmers
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 16 – Coffee Farmers, industry players, and international partners converged in Nairobi for the Taste of Harvest Coffee Competition award ceremony, an annual coffee quality competition that serves as a key platform highlighting excellence across Kenya’s coffee value chain.
AFA Director General Dr. Bruno Linyiru while congratulating farmers said in line with Government priorities, AFA is supporting not only the Taste of Harvest Coffee Competition but also several other initiatives and implementing targeted interventions to increase production, productivity, and farmer incomes, while safeguarding quality and market access.
Coffee farming demands long seasons, careful harvesting, and constant attention to quality a single mistake can erase months of effort As a result, being singled out on a national stage offered both pride and renewed hope.
He expressed gratitude to the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Agriculture for providing what he called “strong policy leadership” in the subsector.
However, DG acknowledged development partners, government agencies and industry players for standing with farmers through reforms and market changes.
Director General described the Taste of Harvest Competition as a “strong and purposeful partnership” that has grown into a credible platform for quality excellence through it, he said,
Kenyan producers now gain visibility and direct links to high-value specialty coffee markets. Additionally, the competition forms part of the wider African Taste of Harvest, an annual event held in AFCA member countries.
National competitions, like the one celebrated in Nairobi, lead to a regional African contest. Judges cup and grade samples using the Specialty Coffee Association scoring system, guided by AFCA’s official protocol.
This year marked a clear shift Participation almost doubled A total of 100 producers submitted samples, up from 56 last year Director General explained that AFA waived the 300-dollar entry fee for AFCA non-members to “encourage more participation.”
That decision opened doors It allowed more farmers and millers to test their coffee against strict international standards Beyond awards, the Director General outlined what AFA is doing to support the sector noting that the Authority continues to implement targeted interventions aimed at increasing production, improving productivity, and raising farmer incomes, while protecting quality and market access.
According to him, implementation of the Crops (Coffee) (General) Regulations, 2019 the regulations have strengthened governance and coordination across the value chain they also place strong emphasis on transparency and farmer protection.
He added that AFA has improved licensing and regulatory frameworks to enhance quality assurance and market access. Initiatives like Taste of Harvest, he said, “reward quality and connect producers to premium markets.”
Digital reforms also featured prominently AFA noted, has pushed digitalization and traceability, including ongoing work toward a National Coffee Information System.
The system aims to improve data management, boost transparency, and meet emerging international sustainability requirements.
“Kenya must move beyond exporting green coffee, Instead, the country should invest in specialty coffee, branding, local roasting, and market diversification platforms like Taste of Harvest, he added, link quality to better returns for farmers and a stronger global image”.
The Principal Secretary in the State Department for Agriculture echoed that message He said it gave him “great pleasure” to join the winners at the breakfast meeting, which brought together producers, regulators, and industry leaders shaping the subsector’s future.
“I congratulate all the award winners for their outstanding achievement, Your success reflects commitment to quality, innovation, and excellence, and it showcases the very best of Kenyan coffee to the world.” He praised AFCA and AFA for their partnership in promoting quality-driven value chains.
According to him, the Taste of Harvest platform fits squarely within the government’s plan to revitalize coffee farming and position Kenya as a leading specialty coffee origin.
The Principal Secretary reminded the audience that coffee remains a pillar of Kenya’s agricultural economy.
The subsector supports the livelihoods of more than six million Kenyans and involves about 800,000 smallholder farmers, Kenya produces mainly high-quality Arabica coffee, known worldwide for its distinctive flavour and consistency.
To close the gap, the government has focused on boosting production and productivity Interventions target rehabilitation and replanting of aging trees, promotion of climate-smart farming practices, improved access to quality inputs, and stronger extension services.
“Kenya must move beyond exporting green coffee, coffee, branding, local roasting, packaging, and domestic consumption Quality-based initiatives like Taste of Harvest, he added, reward excellence and improve market visibility”, He said.
The Crops (Coffee) (General) Regulations, 2019 continue to strengthen governance, transparency, and farmer protection Marketing reforms, he said, aim to ensure better prices, timely payments, and fair returns.
