Coffee Extension Training Program - Kirinyaga

The New Kenya Planters Co-operative Union Plc (New KPCU PLC), a State Corporation established under Cap 446 and incorporated as a Public Limited Company, is offering a sponsored training program leading to a self-employment opportunity as a Coffee Extension Champion in Kirinyaga.

Terms and Training Details

Terms: Sponsored Training with Self-Employment Opportunity Post-Training.

Training Logistics:

• Venue: Coffee Research Institute and designated County Training Centers.
• Duration: One week of intensive theory and practical training.
• Certification: Certificate of Completion issued jointly by New KPCU and the Coffee Research Institute.
• Cost: Training is fully sponsored. Trainees are responsible for catering for their own transport.

Roles After Training (Extension Champions)

Upon successful completion of the training, Extension Champions will be expected to:

• Provide private extension services to farmers in their wards.
• Train farmers on Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) to boost yields.
• Support rehabilitation of abandoned or underperforming coffee farms.
• Promote adoption of quality planting materials supplied through the program.
• Mobilize and organize farmers into cooperatives or farmer groups.
• Assist farmers with record-keeping, crop monitoring, and basic farm management.

How Trainees will Earn from Services

Extension Champions will levy farmers a reasonable service fee. This fee will be agreed upon at the ward level through cooperatives or farmer groups and approved by the Standing County Technical Committee. Champions are expected to work with cooperatives to streamline the collection of service fees through cooperative deductions or mobile money payments, ensuring transparency and accountability. Champions are encouraged to enter into formal service agreements with cooperatives or farmer groups.

Eligibility

Applications must meet the following criteria:

• Hold a certificate, Diploma or Degree (BA/BSc/HND) in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Horticulture, Agriculture Economics, or related fields.
• Be residents of the ward they wish to serve (proof required).
• Demonstrate passion for transforming rural livelihoods through sustainable coffee farming.
• Have effective communication and teamwork skills.
• Not have been previously trained under this program.

Added Advantage:

• Previous experience in coffee farming, cooperatives, or agricultural extension.
• Familiarity with digital tools for data collection.
• Knowledge of coffee agronomy and post-harvest techniques.