Nyeri Invests in Solar Coffee Dryers to Improve Bean Quality and Boost Farmers’ Earnings

Nyeri County is expanding climate-smart investments in the coffee sector through the construction of modern solar coffee dryers at Kiamwangi Coffee Factory, a project expected to improve coffee quality, reduce post-harvest losses, and increase returns for farmers.

The facility, located in Iria-ini Ward in Mathira East Sub-county, is being developed with support from the World Bank-funded Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Programme. Once completed, it will feature four metallic solar drying beds capable of handling up to 16 tonnes of coffee beans per drying cycle.

County officials say the new technology will reduce coffee drying time from approximately 14 days to seven days, allowing farmers and cooperative societies to process coffee more efficiently while maintaining higher quality standards.

According to Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, the investment forms part of the county government’s broader strategy to promote climate-smart agriculture, strengthen value addition, and revitalise the coffee sector following years of declining production caused by low cherry prices and limited investment.

“This investment reflects Nyeri County’s continued commitment to climate resilience, value addition, and empowering coffee farmers to produce premium-quality coffee that attracts better prices and improves livelihoods,” Kahiga said.

He noted that once operational, the solar drying facility will provide a cleaner and more efficient post-harvest handling system that improves bean quality, minimises contamination, and reduces losses associated with conventional drying methods.

Coffee quality is heavily influenced by post-harvest handling, particularly the drying process. Slow or uneven drying can affect bean appearance, flavour, and market value, while exposure to rain, dust, and contaminants may lower the quality grades that determine prices at auction and specialty markets.

The metallic solar dryers are expected to provide more controlled drying conditions, enabling coffee cooperatives to produce consistently high-quality beans that meet the standards required by premium domestic and international buyers.

The project also incorporates an environmental conservation component through tree planting, supporting efforts to restore ecosystems, improve watershed protection, and strengthen resilience against the effects of climate change. The initiative aligns with the objectives of the FLLoCA Programme, which supports locally driven climate adaptation projects across Kenya.

Nyeri remains one of Kenya’s leading coffee-producing counties and has in recent years intensified investments in extension services, rehabilitation of coffee factories, distribution of improved seedlings, and modern processing technologies to revive the sector.

County officials say strengthening post-harvest infrastructure is essential for enabling farmers to capture greater value from their coffee while maintaining the county’s reputation for producing premium-quality beans.

Once completed, the Kiamwangi solar drying facility is expected to enhance the competitiveness of Nyeri coffee in both local and export markets by improving processing efficiency, reducing drying time, and supporting sustainable coffee production for thousands of smallholder farmers.