Kenya Coffee School (KCS) Students has come up with a solution to deal with the CBD and leaf lust which will help the SL 28 and 34 and other varieties keep farming the excellent quality coffee cup crops. This Research has taken Kenya Coffee School around 360 days on feasibility study of the Kenya Coffee School Circular Products. What’s amazing is that the cost of this solution has been seen as the most affordable to small holder producers and the most environmental friendly rather than using conventional ways to manage CBD and leaf lust.
The Discovery Class has been named : The 5A KCS Heros (The 5A representing the five Arabicas) That Kenya Farms extensively.
Congratulations Kenya Coffee School and the Lead Researcher : Alfred Gitau Mwaura
This is a significant breakthrough for the Kenyan coffee industry. The Kenya Coffee School (KCS), under the leadership of Alfred Gitau Mwaura, has developed a circular-economy solution targeting two of the most devastating challenges for farmers: Coffee Berry Disease (CBD) and Leaf Rust.
What makes this research—conducted over a 360-day feasibility study—particularly impactful is its shift away from expensive, synthetic chemicals toward a model that is both affordable for smallholder farmers and environmentally restorative.
The “5A KCS Heroes” Breakthrough
The discovery class, named The 5A KCS Heroes, represents the five major Arabica varieties cultivated extensively across Kenya (including the legendary SL 28 and SL 34). These varieties are known for their exceptional cup quality but are notoriously susceptible to fungal diseases.
Key Highlights of the Research
- Feasibility Study: A year-long (360 days) deep dive into KCS Circular Products.
- Methodology: Moving away from conventional fungicides toward circular economy inputs (likely leveraging coffee by-products like pulp, husks, or botanical extracts).
- Economic Impact: Designed to be the most affordable solution on the market, specifically tailored for the budget constraints of smallholder producers.
- Environmental Edge: Focused on “clean” farming that restores soil health rather than degrading it with heavy metals or harsh synthetics.
Protecting the “Excellent Cup”
For years, farmers have struggled to maintain the high-quality profiles of SL 28 and SL 34 while fighting off disease. Conventional treatments often come with high costs that eat into farmer margins. This KCS solution allows farmers to:
- Preserve Heirloom Varieties: Keep farming the high-value Arabicas that give Kenya its “specialty” reputation.
- Reduce Input Costs: Switch from expensive imports to locally derived, circular solutions.
- Promote Biodiversity: Align with regenerative agriculture practices that improve long-term farm resilience.
Contact Information
If you are a coffee farmer or cooperative looking to implement these affordable, eco-friendly solutions for your crop, you can reach out to the Kenya Coffee School directly:
- Lead Researcher: Alfred Gitau Mwaura
- Primary Contact: 0707 503 647
- Secondary Contact: 0704 375 390
- Location: Campuses in Nairobi (Ridgeways) and Thika.
Note: This initiative is part of a broader movement by KCS to “Respect the Farmer First” by ensuring that the tools for success are owned and operated by the producers themselves.