Kenya Coffee School Students Deliver a Breakthrough Solution for CBD & Leaf Rust

Kenya’s coffee story just got a serious upgrade. After 360 days of rigorous feasibility study and field validation, students at Kenya Coffee School (KCS) have developed a game-changing, eco-friendly solution to manage Coffee Berry Disease (CBD) and Leaf Rust—two of the most persistent threats to Kenya’s prized Arabica varieties.

This innovation is designed to protect and preserve SL28, SL34, and other widely grown Arabicas—without compromising the cup quality that made Kenyan coffee world-famous.

Circular, Affordable, Farmer-First 🌱

What makes this solution stand out isn’t just that it works—it’s how it works.

  • Most affordable for smallholder farmers
  • Environmentally friendly, aligned with circular economy principles
  • Reduces dependence on conventional chemical controls
  • Supports long-term soil health and ecosystem balance

Developed under the Kenya Coffee School Circular Products research track, the solution fits real farm realities—especially for smallholders who need practical, low-cost tools that don’t trade quality for yield.

Protecting the DNA of Kenya’s Best Cups ☕

SL28 and SL34 aren’t just varieties; they’re heritage cultivars behind Kenya’s blackcurrant notes, vibrant acidity, and global reputation. By managing CBD and Leaf Rust sustainably, KCS students are helping farmers keep these varieties productive—and keep Kenya at the top table of specialty coffee.

Introducing the Discovery Class: The 5A KCS Heroes

The research cohort behind this milestone has been officially named:

🛡️ The 5A KCS Heroes
(“5A” representing the five Arabica types extensively farmed across Kenya)

It’s a fitting title for a class that turned learning into impact—from classroom to farm, from theory to cup.

Leadership & Vision

This breakthrough was led by Alfred Gitau Mwaura, whose guidance anchored the research in Open Skills Education, lived farm realities, and circular innovation.

Congratulations to Kenya Coffee School, the Discovery Class, and the entire research team for proving that solutions to global coffee challenges can—and should—come from the source.

Get the Solution

Coffee farmers and cooperatives interested in adopting this innovation can contact Kenya Coffee School directly:

📞 0707 503 647
📞 0704 375 390

From farm to cup—and now, from classroom to cure—Kenya Coffee School continues to shape the future of coffee.