Coffee producers in Nyeri, specifically at the Chorong’i Coffee Factory located in Ruring’u Ward of Nyeri Central Sub-County, are set to see a significant reduction in operational expenses thanks to the acquisition of new solar-powered dryers. This initiative, led by the Department of Climate Change, falls under the Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) program, aligning with the requirements of the 2016 National Climate Change Action Act, which calls for the incorporation of climate change efforts into county development plans and administrative processes.
These solar drying systems are expected to augment both the quality and the volume of coffee beans processed. Yvonne Mathenge, the Climate Change Director for Nyeri County, highlighted the county’s commitment to expand this initiative to additional factories in the near future, revealing that out of a planned three or four solar dryers, two have already been successfully installed with more installations underway.
Solar dryers present a clear advantage over traditional drying methods which depend on direct sunlight or electricity, as solar dryers are impervious to erratic weather patterns and power outages. They also offer flexibility in temperature control, thereby preventing potential overheating and quality degradation of coffee beans.
Mathenge articulated that this project is a stride towards sustainability by leveraging solar energy, which, besides mitigating processing costs, serves to elevate the farmers’ earnings. Furthermore, the enhancement of the drying process envisioned by the use of solar dryers promises a notable improvement in coffee quality and, consequently, its market value.
The pursuit of solar dryers is also in line with a broader strategy discussed last year by the County Department of Water, Environment, and Climate Change, which involves allocating a fraction of the county’s annual development budget to climate change mitigation through the parameters set by the Climate Change Act and the Climate Change Fund Regulations.
This approach is a pioneering step in securing local funds for combating climate change, emphasizing the county’s desire to minimize reliance on external funding for environmental sustainability projects. Mathenge hopes for a future where Nyeri County can independently execute climate change mitigation initiatives while still seeking external support.
