AFA Reaffirms Commitment to Revitalising Kenya’s Coffee Subsector as Taste of Harvest Winners Honoured
The Agricultural Food Authority (AFA) in partnership with Africa Fine Coffee s Association (AFCA) has reiterated its commitment to revitalising Kenya’s coffee subsector through increased production, value addition, and strengthened market systems, as winners of the 2026 Taste of Harvest Coffee Competition were honoured during a breakfast meeting at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
Speaking at the event, the Principal Secretary, State Department for Agriculture Dr. Ronoh Kiprono, congratulated the award-winning producers, noting that their success reflects Kenya’s dedication to quality, innovation, and excellence in coffee production. He said the Taste of Harvest platform aligns with the Government’s agenda to reposition Kenya as a leading global origin for specialty coffee.
The Principal Secretary commended the Africa Fine Coffees Association (AFCA) and the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) for their sustained partnership in promoting quality-driven coffee value chains.
“The coffee subsector remains a critical pillar of Kenya’s agricultural economy, supporting the livelihoods of more than six million people, including about 800,000 smallholder farmers”,he noted.
Despite Kenya’s global reputation for high-quality Arabica coffee, annual production averages between 40,000 and 50,000 metric tonnes below the country’s potential. To address this gap, the Government is implementing targeted interventions, including rehabilitation and replanting of ageing coffee trees, promotion of climate-smart agriculture, improved access to quality inputs, and strengthened extension services. These measures aim to raise productivity, improve profitability, and attract more youth into coffee farming.
The Principal Secretary emphasised that value addition and quality enhancement are central to the sector’s transformation. He urged stakeholders to move beyond exporting green coffee by investing in specialty coffee, branding, local roasting, packaging, and promoting domestic consumption.
“Quality-based initiatives such as the Taste of Harvest Competition, are critical in rewarding excellence, enhancing market visibility, and linking farmers directly to premium buyers,”he said.
He further highlighted ongoing market and institutional reforms, including the implementation of the Crops (Coffee) (General) Regulations, 2019, which have strengthened governance, transparency, and farmer protection. The Government is also working with stakeholders to enhance digital traceability systems and ensure compliance with emerging global requirements, such as the European Union Deforestation Regulation, to keep Kenyan coffee competitive in international markets.
Addressing participants, in his speech read by Food Crops Directorate Director Calistus Kundu, Dr.Bruno Linyiru AFA Director General of the Agriculture and Food Authority said the Taste of Harvest Competition is a flagship collaboration between AFA and AFCA that provides a credible platform for promoting quality excellence and linking Kenyan producers to high-value specialty markets. He noted that the competition forms part of a broader regional initiative hosted annually across AFCA member countries, culminating in a regional African Taste of Harvest competition.
This year’s competition recorded a significant increase in participation, with 100 coffee samples submitted compared to 56 last year. The rise was attributed to the decision to waive the USD 300 entry fee for non-AFCA members, a move aimed at encouraging wider participation.
The AFA Director General outlined ongoing interventions to boost production, productivity, and farmer incomes while safeguarding quality and market access. These include strengthened implementation of coffee regulations, enhanced quality assurance and licensing frameworks, support for digitalisation and traceability through the planned National Coffee Information System, and closer coordination with county governments, development partners, and the private sector.
He underscored the importance of value addition, calling on stakeholders to invest in specialty coffee, branding, local roasting, and market diversification to ensure higher returns for farmers and stronger global positioning for Kenyan coffee.
They congratulated the Taste of Harvest winners, describing them as ambassadors of Kenya’s coffee excellence, and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to working with all stakeholders to restore and sustain Kenya’s premium status in the global coffee market.
