| Country | |
|---|---|
| Continent | |
| Region | Embu |
| Community Name | Kibugu FCS – Gikirima Wet Mill |
| Processing Method | |
| Arrival Date | July 2019 |
| Cupping Notes Upon Arrival | 86 – Caipirinha, black tea, elderflower, Honey |
| Elevation | 1800 MASL |
| Varietals | SL 28, SL 34 |
| Fresh Filter | Prior Crops 12+ Months |
Embu County is lifted by Mt. Kenya, and a veritable Garden of Eden for coffee. This is where the farmers decided to set up shop with the Gikirma Wet Mill, now members of the larger, 1,050 member Kibigu Cooperative. The short-rain season runs through the end of December in this area, making drying difficult. Luckily Gikirma is at such altitude that sufficient harvest comes in Jan – March, sowe have the ability to select from later collections with ideal drying conditions.
Gikirima factory is near the town of Gicherori, and part of the larger Kibugu Farmers Co-operative Society that brings Gikirima together with farmers from Ndunduri, Ngerwe and Gicherori factories. Average members have 1 hectare of land for coffee, and also grow eta, macadamia nuts, bananas and corn. The group has a field committee charged with mobilizing quality. On designated field days farmers will receive on-site training customized to their farm. Between this, and an advance payment program, they encourage farmers to stay active in the group and in their fields between each harvest.
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