Gichichi Natural
With nearly 700,000 coffee producers, roughly 70% of which are smallholder producers, Kenya shines as a unique coffee-producing country in East Africa. Within the Nyeri County is the Gichichi Coffee Factory, belonging to the Othaya Farmers’ Cooperative Society (FCS). The Factory is located near the town of Gichichi in Othaya. There are roughly 500 smallholder producers contributing cherries to this lot, 350 men and 150 women. Situated at roughly 1,800 meters above sea level, the region where the Factory is located is defined by its bright red soils, full of rich nutrients for coffee trees. The high altitude allows for cool temperatures and ideal rainfall for the slow maturation of coffee cherries.
- Farm Othaya FCS
- Varietal Batian, Ruiru 11, SL 34, SL28
- Process Natural
- Altitude 1,800 meters above sea level
- Town / City Othaya
- Region Nyeri County
- Owner Othaya FCS
- Farm Size <1 hectare
Despite its proximity to the birthplace of coffee, Ethiopia, coffee growing was introduced in Kenya relatively late – by Scottish missionaries, initially, and then commercially around 1900. Despite the late start, today, it is a country renowned for having some of the best coffees in the world. Nonetheless, Kenya’s coffee sector faces challenges for the future, and low global prices combined with climate change and population growth have diminished the country’s output over the last decade.