AFA Awards Put Farmers at the Heart of Kenya’s Coffee Comeback
By Peace Muthoka
NAIROBI, Kenya, January 16, 2026 — The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), together with the Africa Fine Coffees Association (AFCA), hosted the Taste of Harvest Coffee Awards to honour producers whose coffees stood out for “exceptional quality.” Yet beyond the trophies and applause, the event told a deeper story about the future of Kenyan coffee and the people who grow it.
“It is my honour to welcome you to this breakfast meeting to celebrate the winners of the Taste of Harvest Coffee Competition,” the AFA Director General said as he congratulated the award recipients. He reminded the audience that the awards “reflect the excellence and resilience of Kenyan coffee producers.”
For many farmers in the room, that recognition carried weight. Coffee farming demands long seasons, careful harvesting, and constant attention to quality. A single mistake can erase months of effort. As a result, being singled out on a national stage offered both pride and renewed hope.
The Director General thanked the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Agriculture for providing what he called “strong policy leadership” in the subsector. He also acknowledged development partners, government agencies, and industry players for standing with farmers through reforms and market changes.
At the centre of the celebration stood the partnership between AFA and AFCA. The Director General described the Taste of Harvest Competition as a “strong and purposeful partnership” that has grown into a credible platform for quality excellence. Through it, he said, Kenyan producers now gain visibility and direct links to high-value specialty coffee markets.
The competition forms part of the wider African Taste of Harvest, an annual event held in AFCA member countries. National competitions, like the one celebrated in Nairobi, lead to a regional African contest. Judges cup and grade samples using the Specialty Coffee Association scoring system, guided by AFCA’s official protocol.
This year marked a clear shift. Participation almost doubled. A total of 100 producers submitted samples, up from 56 last year. The Director General explained that AFA waived the 300-dollar entry fee for AFCA non-members to “encourage more participation.”
That decision opened doors. It allowed more farmers and millers to test their coffee against strict international standards. For many, it was their first chance to receive professional feedback on flavour, consistency, and quality.
Beyond awards, the Director General outlined what AFA is doing to support the sector. He said the Authority continues to implement targeted interventions aimed at increasing production, improving productivity, and raising farmer incomes, while protecting quality and market access.
One key step has been the implementation of the Crops (Coffee) (General) Regulations, 2019. According to him, the regulations have strengthened governance and coordination across the value chain. They also place strong emphasis on transparency and farmer protection.
He added that AFA has improved licensing and regulatory frameworks to enhance quality assurance and market access. Initiatives like Taste of Harvest, he said, “reward quality and connect producers to premium markets.”
Digital reforms also featured prominently. AFA, he noted, has pushed digitalization and traceability, including ongoing work toward a National Coffee Information System. The system aims to improve data management, boost transparency, and meet emerging international sustainability requirements.
Still, he stressed that value addition remains critical. “Kenya must move beyond exporting green coffee,” he said. Instead, the country should invest in specialty coffee, branding, local roasting, and market diversification. Platforms like Taste of Harvest, he added, link quality to better returns for farmers and a stronger global image.
The Principal Secretary in the State Department for Agriculture echoed that message. He said it gave him “great pleasure” to join the winners at the breakfast meeting, which brought together producers, regulators, and industry leaders shaping the subsector’s future.
“I congratulate all the award winners for their outstanding achievement,” he said. “Your success reflects commitment to quality, innovation, and excellence, and it showcases the very best of Kenyan coffee to the world.”
He praised AFCA and AFA for their partnership in promoting quality-driven value chains. According to him, the Taste of Harvest platform fits squarely within the government’s plan to revitalize coffee farming and position Kenya as a leading specialty coffee origin.
The Principal Secretary reminded the audience that coffee remains a pillar of Kenya’s agricultural economy. The subsector supports the livelihoods of more than six million Kenyans and involves about 800,000 smallholder farmers. Kenya produces mainly high-quality Arabica coffee, known worldwide for its distinctive flavour and consistency.
However, he acknowledged the challenge ahead. National production averages between 40,000 and 50,000 metric tonnes each year. That figure, he said, falls below the country’s potential and calls for sustained revitalization.
To close the gap, the government has focused on boosting production and productivity. Interventions target rehabilitation and replanting of aging trees, promotion of climate-smart farming practices, improved access to quality inputs, and stronger extension services. The goal, he said, is to raise yields per tree and keep coffee farming profitable and attractive, especially for the youth.
At the same time, government policy places strong emphasis on value addition and quality enhancement. “Kenya must move beyond exporting green coffee,” he said, pointing again to specialty coffee, branding, local roasting, packaging, and domestic consumption. Quality-based initiatives like Taste of Harvest, he added, reward excellence and improve market visibility.
He also addressed market reforms. The Crops (Coffee) (General) Regulations, 2019 continue to strengthen governance, transparency, and farmer protection. Marketing reforms, he said, aim to ensure better prices, timely payments, and fair returns.
Global demands also shape the agenda. The Principal Secretary cited sustainability and traceability requirements, including emerging regulations such as the EU Deforestation Regulation. In response, the government is working with stakeholders to strengthen digital traceability systems and keep Kenyan coffee compliant and competitive.
Turning back to the winners, he called them “ambassadors of Kenya’s coffee excellence.” Their achievement, he said, proves that quality and value addition lead to higher incomes and sector growth.
