Kigumo: Coffee Agronomist John Chege has urged coffee farmers to leverage the dry months of January and February to carry out some vital practices to ensure increased cherry production throughout the year. Speaking during a farmers’ education day at Marumi Cooperative Coffee Society in Kigumo, Chege emphasized the importance of practices like cycle renewing, correct pruning, soil testing, and foliar application in boosting production.
According to Kenya News Agency, Chege encouraged farmers to abandon incorrect practices that damage the bushes and reduce productivity, leading to low prices at the coffee auction and less earnings for the farmer. He highlighted the importance of pruning after the October, November, and December harvest to increase production and reduce the habitat for pests and diseases. Timely pruning also allows sunlight penetration, which acts as a catalyst for flowering, as bushes in the shade do not flower well, resulting in low production.
Chege advises farmers to change the coffee cycle every five years, noting that January and February are the ideal times to replace old bushes with young, vibrant ones that are more productive and resistant to pests and diseases. He stresses the importance of soil sampling during the dry months, as soil pH largely determines the nutrients available to the plants. Testing the soil helps farmers determine the type and amount of nutrients available for coffee, guiding them in selecting the appropriate fertiliser.
Chege also recommends alternating fertiliser application, with soil fertiliser applied during rainy periods and foliar fertiliser used during dry months to aid nutrient absorption. Testing and analyzing the soil enhances soil health, improving crop resistance to pests and diseases.