KENYA COFFEE SCHOOL
RESEARCH AGENDA 2026 – 2030
Research Centre for Ecological Change
A hybrid strategy × public brief
Vision
To become Africa’s leading coffee climate intelligence centre — generating science, data and youth innovation to protect coffee livelihoods under climate change.
Core Belief
Coffee is a climate sensor.
Science is farmer protection.
THE 6 THEMATIC AREAS
1) Climate Risk Mapping using GIS & Copernicus
We will use earth observation, satellite data, and GIS modeling to detect early warning signals for drought, heat stress, pest migration and rainfall failure.
Target Outcome by 2030:
Kenya has a national “coffee climate vulnerability atlas” openly accessible.
2) Genetic Diversity Trials of Kenyan Coffee Varieties
We will test multiple varieties (SL series, Ruiru 11, Batian, landraces, and new introductions) under different microclimates to identify future-resilient seedstock.
Target Outcome by 2030:
A Kenya Resilient Coffee Variety Index — ranked by climate tolerance + cup potential.
3) Soil Microbiome & Volcanic Mineral Nutrition Research
We will characterize soil nutrition, microbial communities, root-zone biology and volcanic mineral signatures — to rebuild soil health and reduce chemical dependency.
Target Outcome by 2030:
A soil health optimization protocol for smallholders based on “biological fertilizer logic”.
4) Agroforest Systems & Species Mixing for Resilience
We will test tree mixing, canopy engineering, and polyculture design to create microclimate buffering systems for farms.
Target Outcome by 2030:
A standardized “KCS Resilient Agroforest Blueprint” deployable to all coffee counties.
5) Farmer-Pay Models (Value Addition + Good Trade Certification)
We will model how farmers earn more when they roast, brand, export and digitally verify traceability — not only sell green beans.
Target Outcome by 2030:
Evidence base proving that farmer-led value addition delivers x2-x6 income uplift under Good Trade Certification.
6) Youth STEM Capacity & Coffee Innovation Labs
We will equip youth with STEM, data skills, climate modeling and coffee science — to become Africa’s new generation of climate-literate coffee leaders.
Target Outcome by 2030:
10,000 youth trained under the “Coffee Earth Data” curriculum.
How we deliver
- field research stations + living labs
- satellite + drone + sensor + AI data integration
- open science + maker culture + prototyping
- farmer-centered co-creation
Why this matters
Coffee livelihoods are under threat.
Not in 2050 — now.
Kenya Coffee School will convert climate intelligence into decisions, technology and livelihood safety for farmers.
This is not research for publications only.
This is research for survival and better economics.
Call to partners
Universities, space agencies, climate institutions, genomic labs, roasters, and philanthropies:
Join Kenya Coffee School.
We are building a resilient coffee future together.