Coffee farmers in Meru County are gradually phasing out the Ruiru 11 variety in favour of the superior quality and high-yielding SL28, despite its susceptibility to diseases. 

Although Ruiru 11 is disease-resistant, farmers in Meru say it is low in flavour and yield compared to SL28. Farmers are now either uprooting Ruiru 11 or grafting it with SL28.

Mr. Charles Mutwiri of Mukarimu Coffee Estates has uprooted 10 of his over 20 acres of the Ruiru 11 variety to plant SL28.

"I have uprooted 10 acres already, and when I start harvesting from the SL28 next year, I will uproot the remaining 10 acres of Ruiru 11.

"SL28 is three times more productive and profitable, despite the diseases that attack it. The diseases can be managed," said Mr. Mutwiri, with farms in Central Imenti and other parts of Meru.

He said, "I have had Ruiru 11 for over 30 years, but a lot of research has made me opt for SL28 because a single bush can yield up to 100 kg. A kilo trades at Sh100, making it profitable."

Ms Eva Muthuri of Eva's Coffee Africa, an exporter, vouches for the SL28 variety, saying it was better in flavour and aroma and popular in the market, translating to good prices for farmers.

"Farmers should not uproot Ruiru 11; they can graft. Ruiru 11 is disease resistant and resilient in drought. Good for these days of climate change. It also grows faster than SL28," she said.

Eva's Coffee Africa is leading in the campaign to attract youth and women into coffee farming and has come up with innovative ways to get the youth interested in coffee farming.

"We were able to identify that the youth have challenges of land ownership, finances, and even the skills and interest," she said.

She said, "We have (more) groups of youths who have agreed to undergo training on good agricultural practices. So wherever you are in Meru and you need people who are skilled in your farm, you can call Kathera Society and ask for these youths. They will come and do a good job," Ms Muthuri said.

She said women in the area set the pace for the youth in coffee. 

"Mothers were given places to plant their own seedlings. At the cooperative they were given their own numbers, and they bank their own money," Muthuri said.

She said Meru was blessed with the right climate for good production, and the target was to get more youth involved.

"We are on the slopes of Mt. Kenya, and that gives us the climatic conditions to produce very high-quality coffee," she said.

Mutwiri has also established a demonstration farm where he trains local farmers and visitors from other counties. He welcomed the national government's move to distribute quality free seedlings.

A few years ago, Mutwiri started a project to get youth into coffee to reinvigorate coffee farming in the region. So far, more than 300 youth have benefited.

He said that as an experienced farmer, he was concerned that young people preferred boda boda riding to farming, which is way better and risk-free.

James Kirimi, a beneficiary, said it might take them five years to start reaping from the venture, but was optimistic that the crop would, in the coming days, help him cater for his family's needs.

“Farming is the way to go for the youth. Our parents do not have as much energy as they used to, so it is important for us to take over the farms. In my case, I have inter-cropped the coffee with sweet potatoes, which are fast maturing, and from selling them, I still make a few coins,” said Kirimi, one of the beneficiaries of the project.

Mutwiri says coffee is much more profitable than the boda boda business and has urged ageing farmers to get their children into coffee.

“I did not have much education and was given a small parcel by my father to plant coffee in 1976, and he gave me 150 bushes to start me off. I want to use my own experience to inspire the youth,” Mutwiri said.