Coffee production hike predicted

 COFFEE production for this year is projected at around 1.1 million bags, Coffee Industry Corporation acting chief executive officer Charles Dambui says. 

Dambui, pictured, was giving an overview of this year in view of the effect of the drought which hit the major coffee growing provinces last year. 

He said the drought did not kill coffee trees but caused massive defoliation in some parts of the country, especially in drier areas. 

“These defoliated trees will not produce any crop for this year. However, rain will (help trees) put on leaves and recover.

“There will be some loss of production from these trees but by how much we have no idea since we do not have any data.”

Dambui said trees which survived the drought should be able to produce bumper crop because the dry period was conducive for floral bud formation. The longer the dry period, the higher the bud formation.

He said rain was necessary for the buds to open and flower.

“The leaves that remained on the tree during and after the drought facilitated that process. 

With new leaves put on during the rain, they would be able to continue with photosynthesis and supply of carbohydrates.”

Dambui said following the droughts in 1988 and 1997, 1.3 million bags were exported in 1989 and 1998. He said with the massive flowering and fruit development, a higher crop is expected this year.