The Kiandu factory is managed by the Kiandu Farmers Cooperative Society (previously operated by Mutheka). The factory is located in Nyeri, at 1,810m above sea level.

Origin: Kiandu Factory – Kiandu Farmers’ Cooperative Society

The Kiandu Factory, bearing the same name as the Farmers Cooperative Society it is managed by, is situated in the Karundu location and Kiandu sub-location within Nyeri County.

Established in 1970 under the Tetu Coffee Growers Cooperative, the factory initially formed out of 18 factories. In 1989, it merged into Mutheka FCS, and in 2011, it became an independent society under the name of Kiandu. Presently, it has 1,524 active members. On average, each farmer cultivates around 200 coffee trees, often alongside other crops like maize, beans, and sweet potatoes.

The factory’s operations are overseen by a manager responsible for coordinating all activities. Alongside other staff members, they manage tasks such as weighing coffee, selecting and grading beans, facilitating payments to farmers, and addressing any concerns raised by the farming community.

Harvest & Post-Harvest

After harvesting, farmers deliver the ripe coffee cherries to the factory where they undergo processing to remove the skin and pulp. The coffee then undergoes a dry fermentation process in tanks lasting 18 to 24 hours to break down the mucilage.

Following fermentation, the coffee passes through washing channels to ensure thorough removal of the pulp. It then undergoes a final overnight soak before being spread out on raised drying tables. The drying process typically lasts 7-15 days, influenced by factors such as climate, ambient temperature, and how much coffee is being processed.

Situated in Kiandu, the coffee factory experiences moderate bimodal rainfall and year-round temperatures ranging from 13 to 26 degrees Celsius. The primary coffee varieties grown in this region include SL28, Batian, SL34, and Ruiru 11. The area’s deep, fertile, well-drained red volcanic soils provide an ideal environment for coffee cultivation.

Impact

Members of the cooperative can access pre-financing for school fees, farm inputs, and emergency needs from funds allocated from the previous year’s harvest. This initiative aims to support members in various aspects of their lives and farming activities.

The cooperative’s long-term objective is to enhance coffee production by providing farmer training, facilitating access to inputs, conducting Good Agricultural Practice seminars, and offering up-to-date printed materials on sustainable farming practices. By ensuring that producers receive some of the highest returns for their coffee, the cooperative aims to achieve this goal effectively.

In alignment with the increasing awareness of environmental conservation, the factory has taken measures to responsibly manage wastewater. Waste water soak pits have been constructed away from water sources, allowing the waste water to permeate back into the soil. Although the factory currently does not engage in wastewater treatment, these efforts demonstrate a commitment to environmental stewardship.