A New Dawn in the Highlands of Kericho
In the misty highlands of Kericho, where coffee trees stretch toward the morning sun, a quiet revolution began in 2022. Chepnorio Farmers' Cooperative Society, once tethered to conventional farming and declining yields, found new life through a transformative partnership with Agriterra under the SDGP project. This collaboration introduced bio-solution production and beehive making, simple yet powerful innovations that laid the foundation for regenerative agriculture and reshaped the cooperative’s future.
Regenerating the Soil, Reviving the Spirit
Farmers began crafting organic compost from farm waste, replacing synthetic fertilizers with nutrient-rich amendments that revived the soil. Beehives, once rare in the region, became symbols of ecological balance, boosting pollination and biodiversity.
As the soil healed, so did the coffee. Locally produced bio-foliar sprays were applied with care, enhancing cherry development and plant resilience. The results were dramatic: coffee production surged from 700,000 kilograms in 2022 to 1.5 million kilograms by 2024.
This leap was no accident, it was the result of deepened farmer training, expanded production capacity, and a strategic shift under the Acting Now project, which linked innovation directly to coffee farming.
Innovation That Strengthens Farmers
Chepnorio’s well-established agrostore became a hub of empowerment, ensuring farmers had consistent access to quality inputs and technical support. As knowledge spread, so did resilience.
Farmers diversified their farms, intercropping coffee with bananas, beans, and indigenous vegetables. Beekeeping added honey and wax to household incomes, while composting reduced costs and strengthened food security. These changes increased earnings and created new livelihood opportunities, transforming farming into a dynamic, community-driven enterprise.
Sustainability as a Way of Life
Between January and September 2025, Chepnorio generated over KES 2 million in bio-product sales — clear evidence that sustainability had evolved from philosophy to profitable practice.
The cooperative’s embrace of circular agriculture not only reduced environmental harm but also reinforced its self-sufficiency and resilience. What began as a sustainability effort had become a solid business model led by farmers, for farmers.
From Kericho’s Fields to the World Stage
Then came the moment that marked Chepnorio’s arrival on the global stage. In late 2025, the cooperative’s coffee now celebrated for its enhanced quality and ecological integrity earned a coveted spot at the World Coffee Exhibition in Geneva.
It was more than a showcase; it was a statement. Chepnorio had journeyed from compost heaps to international acclaim, proving that smallholder innovation could rival global standards.
Thriving Together, Sowing for Tomorrow
Today, Chepnorio stands as a beacon of transformation. Its story is one of fertile grounds, where sustainability took root, and global grounds, where excellence now blooms.
It is a testament to what happens when farmers embrace the soil, the science, and the spirit of sustainability — showing the world that the path to impact begins with nurturing what lies beneath our feet.
Sowing today. Thriving tomorrow. Together, we grow stronger.
