Theme: Building the Future of African Coffee through Sustainable Agrifood Systems

Duration: 21 Days (70% Practical | 30% Theory)

Week 1: Foundations of Coffee Agronomy

Day 1 – Introduction to Coffee Agronomy

• History of Coffee
• Global Coffee Production
• Kenyan Coffee Industry
• Coffee Value Chain
• Coffee Species & Varieties
• Practical: Coffee farm orientation

Day 2 – Coffee Botany & Plant Physiology

• Coffee anatomy
• Growth stages
• Root development
• Photosynthesis
• Flowering & fruit development
• Practical: Plant identification

Day 3 – Sustainable Agrifood Systems

• Food systems thinking
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Climate Smart Agriculture
• Agroecology
• Coffee landscapes
• Practical: Sustainability assessment

Day 4 – Soil Science

• Soil formation
• Soil biology
• Soil texture
• Soil fertility
• Soil organic matter
• Practical:
  • Soil sampling
  • pH testing
  • Texture analysis

Day 5 – Hydroponics & Controlled Environment Agriculture

• Principles of Hydroponics
• Nutrient solutions
• Coffee nursery innovations
• Vertical farming
• Greenhouse systems
• Practical:
  • Hydroponic seedling propagation

Day 6 – Coffee Nursery Management

• Seed selection
• Germination
• Nursery media
• Shade management
• Seedling quality
• Practical:
  • Raising seedlings

Day 7 – Field Practical

• Nursery establishment
• Farm mapping
• GPS use
• Plant spacing
• Field record keeping

Week 2: Sustainable Coffee Production

Day 8 – Coffee Nutrition

• Plant nutrients
• Fertilizer recommendations
• Compost
• Biofertilizers
• Foliar feeding
• Practical:
  • Nutrient deficiency diagnosis

Day 9 – Regenerative Agriculture

• Soil regeneration
• Carbon farming
• Cover crops
• Mulching
• Reduced tillage
• Agroforestry
• Practical:
  • Compost preparation

Day 10 – Circular Economy in Coffee

• Coffee waste utilization
• Cascara
• Coffee husks
• Biochar
• Renewable energy
• Circular business models
• Practical:
  • Compost from coffee pulp

Day 11 – Water Management

• Irrigation systems
• Rainwater harvesting
• Water conservation
• Water quality
• Climate adaptation
• Practical:
  • Drip irrigation setup

Day 12 – Coffee Pests & Diseases

• Coffee Berry Disease
• Coffee Leaf Rust
• Berry Borer
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
• Biological control
• Practical:
  • Pest scouting

Day 13 – Coffee Pruning & Canopy Management

• Pruning systems
• Stumping
• Canopy health
• Yield improvement
• Farm sanitation
• Practical:
  • Pruning exercise

Day 14 – Coffee Extension Methods

• Adult learning
• Farmer Field Schools
• Digital extension
• Farmer advisory services
• Participatory extension
• Practical:
  • Farmer training simulation

Week 3: Advanced Coffee Farming & Innovation

Day 15 – Coffee Farm Economics

• Enterprise budgeting
• Cost of production
• Farm profitability
• Investment planning
• Practical:
  • Farm financial analysis

Day 16 – Climate Change & Coffee

• Climate risks
• Carbon footprint
• Climate resilience
• Adaptation strategies
• Weather interpretation
• Practical:
  • Climate risk mapping

Day 17 – Precision Coffee Farming

• GIS
• GPS
• Drones
• Remote sensing
• Artificial Intelligence
• IoT in agriculture
• Practical:
  • Digital farm mapping

Day 18 – Coffee Quality Starts at the Farm

• Harvest maturity
• Selective picking
• Post-harvest handling
• Traceability
• Quality preservation
• Practical:
  • Cherry grading

Day 19 – Coffee Processing

• Wet processing
• Natural processing
• Honey processing
• Fermentation science
• Drying systems
• Practical:
  • Processing demonstration

Day 20 – Coffee Entrepreneurship & Cooperative Development

• Agribusiness
• Cooperatives
• Value addition
• Export markets
• Branding
• Youth & women inclusion
• Practical:
  • Business model development

Day 21 – Integrated Farm Project & Assessment

• Farm management planning
• Sustainable coffee production strategy
• Extension presentation
• Group project
• Practical examination
• Graduation presentation

Cross-Cutting Learning Modules

Throughout the 21 days, learners also engage with:

• Sustainable Agrifood Systems
• Climate Smart Agriculture
• Agroecology
• Coffee Agroforestry
• Soil Health Management
• Hydroponics & Smart Nurseries
• Circular Economy
• Carbon Sequestration
• Composting Technologies
• Biochar Production
• Coffee Waste Valorization
• Biodiversity Conservation
• Pollinator Management
• Precision Agriculture
• Digital Agriculture
• GIS & Farm Mapping
• Coffee Extension Methodology
• Agricultural Policy
• Cooperative Management
• Farm Occupational Health & Safety
• Gender & Youth in Coffee
• Agricultural Leadership
• Farm Record Keeping
• Coffee Traceability Systems
• Farm Certification Standards (e.g., Good for Trade Certification)
• Regenerative Coffee Landscapes
• Coffee Innovation & Research
• Agricultural Risk Management
• Agrifood Entrepreneurship

Capstone Project

Each learner develops a Sustainable Coffee Farm Development Plan integrating:

• Regenerative agriculture principles
• Circular economy practices
• Climate-smart interventions
• Soil and water conservation
• Hydroponic nursery design
• Extension strategy for farmer adoption
• Financial viability analysis
• Environmental impact assessment

This capstone ensures graduates can design and manage coffee farms that are productive, resilient, environmentally responsible, and economically sustainable—aligning with Kenya Coffee School’s vision of advancing African coffee from seed to cup through innovation, science, and regenerative agrifood systems.

#Kenya Coffee School #Barista Mtaani