Ngurueri, Kenya

Established in 1968 and located on the slopes of Mt. Kenya, Ngurueri is one of four washing stations in the Murue Farmer’s Cooperative Society, supporting nearly 1,500 smallholder farmers. The area is known for its rich volcanic soil, plentiful rainfall and cool temperatures, all ideal for coffee production. The processing of this coffee is meticulous; cherries are handpicked, sorted, pulped, fermented for 12 - 48 hours, fully washed and then dried on raised beds. Quality is also closely monitored by the Cherry Clerk. While farmers also grow tea, maize and legumes, challenges like pests and high input costs persist. The cooperative addresses these by offering premium payments, training and input support. Sustainable practices are also adopted, including wastewater management and tree planting, while farmer welfare is enhanced through education, crop management seminars and annual staff training in quality and sustainability.