Embu County is lifted by Mt. Kenya, and a veritable Garden of Eden for coffee. It’s densely populated, but one of the places where small coffee plots continue to thrive despite all of their new neighbors. It’s a place that’s run through with rivers and waterfalls; clean water is a matter of pride for those who live in Gicherori, so it’s no surprise to see top-notch water management at the coffee factory in Gicherori, which is part of the larger Kibigu Cooperative. The short-rain season runs through the end of December in this area, coinciding with peak harvest and making drying difficult. Luckily Gikirma is at such altitude that sufficient harvest comes in Jan – March, so we have the ability to select from later collections with ideal drying conditions.
The Kibugu Farmers Co-operative Society brings Gicherori farmers together with neighbors in Gikirima, Ndunduri and Ngerwe. Average members have 1 hectare of land for coffee, and also grow eta, macadamia nuts, bananas and corn. The group has a field committee charged with mobilizing quality. On designated field days farmers will receive on-site training customized to their farm. Between this, and an advance payment program, they encourage farmers to stay active in the group and in their fields between each harvest.