Coffee Extension Training Program - Tharaka Nithi

This is an announcement for participation in a sponsored Coffee Extension Training Program in Tharaka Nithi, which leads to a self-employment opportunity post-training as an Extension Champion. The program aims to equip individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide private extension services to coffee farmers within their respective wards.

Training Details

• 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 will cater for their own transport.

Roles After Training (Extension Champions)

Upon successful completion of the training, trained Extension Champions will undertake the following roles:

• 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 operate on a self-employment basis:

• They will levy farmers a reasonable service fee agreed upon at the ward level through cooperatives or farmer groups and approved by the Standing County Technical Committee.
• Champions will work with cooperatives to streamline 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

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Hold a Certificate, Diploma, or Degree 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

Candidates with the following attributes will have an 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.