‘Decline in production costs industry K88 million’

THE decline in coffee production by more than 200,000 bags annually has resulted in a loss of K88 million to coffee farmers, according to the Coffee Industry Corporation Ltd (CICL).
Board chairman Jerry Kapka said the people were missing out “and not getting what is expected”.
“I want to bring the industry to the management and work together to deliver to the industry stakeholders,” he said.
Kapka said many things needed to be reviewed, restructured and implemented to benefit coffee farmers.
“I think they want to see some changes,” he said. “The board cannot do it all alone. Let us connect the industry with our management team and move forward with better plans for the industry.”
He said increasing the volume was not a problem.
“But company and board directors should review what they had been doing, why people were not responding and move forward from there,” he said.
Kapka was elected chairman in a special general meeting of the board of directors on July 9.
He represents the exporters’ council on the board. He took over from Patrick Komba.
CICL acting chief executive officer Charles Dambui said Kapka came with more than 20 years’ experience in coffee farming, trading and export.
“CICL looks forward to working with the new board to deliver the National Coffee Road Map (2020-2030) and the CICL Business Strategic Plan (2020-2024),” he said.