Research Proposal
Title : GIS, Open Data, and Digital Transformation of Coffee Farmer Cooperative Societies (FCS) under Climate Change Regulation

Institution:
Kenya Coffee School (KCS) – MBA Research & Barista Mtaani Innovation Hub

Proposed Duration:
24 months

1. Problem Statement

Kenya’s coffee sector is under pressure from global buyers, regulators, and climate realities. Farmer Cooperative Societies (FCS) remain central to coffee production and trade, yet:

  • Traceability Gaps: Most coops lack geo-referenced farm data, which is now mandatory under EU deforestation regulations and specialty buyer requirements.
  • Digital Deficit: Cooperative governance still relies on manual records and fragmented systems, limiting transparency, accountability, and efficiency.
  • Climate Compliance Burden: New regulations on carbon accounting, climate disclosure, and sustainability standards risk excluding non-compliant coops from export markets.
  • Data Silos: Valuable farm, climate, and production data remain inaccessible due to poor digitization and the absence of open-data ecosystems.

*Unless these challenges are addressed, Kenya risks losing its competitive advantage as a premium coffee origin, and smallholder farmers will be excluded from lucrative international markets.

2. Literature Review Pointers

  • GIS in Coffee: Studies in Colombia, Brazil, and Ethiopia show that GIS improves traceability, yield forecasting, and climate adaptation strategies
  • Open Data & Agriculture: Open-data initiatives (World Bank, GODAN, CGIAR) demonstrate the benefits of transparency for markets, research, and farmer empowerment.
  • Digitalization of Coops: Research on digital finance and governance in African agriculture highlights increased accountability, better farmer payouts, and stronger buyer confidence (GSMA, 2020).
  • Climate Change & Coffee: IPCC reports predict a 50% reduction of suitable coffee areas by 2050; compliance with climate regulations (e.g., EU Carbon Border Adjustment, ISO 14064) is increasingly tied to market access.
  • Kenyan Context: Recent reports from the Coffee Directorate and county governments emphasize the urgent need for modernization of FCS and digitization of the value chain.

3. Research Objectives

  1. GIS Farm Mapping & Traceability
    • Develop geo-referenced farm maps for selected FCS.
    • Integrate altitude, soil, and canopy data with climate projections.
  2. Open Data Ecosystem
    • Design an interoperable open-data dashboard for coffee production, climate impact, and pricing trends.
    • Enable researchers, buyers, and policymakers to access non-sensitive aggregated data.
  3. Digitalization of Cooperative Governance
    • Audit digital readiness and introduce mobile-ledger systems for record-keeping, payments, and traceability.
    • Explore blockchain for transparent farmer payouts and buyer verification.
  4. Climate Change Regulation Compliance
    • Assess FCS readiness for climate-related trade regulations.
    • Develop low-cost monitoring and reporting templates to support compliance.
  5. Capacity Building through KCS MBA
    • Translate research into MBA course modules on Digital Coffee Governance & Climate Compliance.
    • Train coop leaders, county officers, and baristas as digital transformation champions.

4. Methodology

Phase 1 – Baseline & Literature Integration (Months 1–4)

  • Select 3–4 pilot coops across agro-ecological zones (Kiambu, Nyeri, Kericho, Bungoma).
  • Conduct baseline surveys on governance, digital tools, and climate awareness.
  • Compile regulatory landscape analysis (EU, US, African standards).

Phase 2 – GIS Mapping & Climate Overlay (Months 5–10)

  • Use drones, satellite imagery, and ground GPS for farm mapping.
  • Overlay maps with climate-risk data (rainfall, temperature projections).
  • Develop GIS traceability protocols for FCS.

Phase 3 – Digitalization Audit & Tool Deployment (Months 11–15)

  • Map existing digital workflows and gaps.
  • Deploy mobile ledger tools, digital payments, and blockchain pilots.
  • Train coop managers on usage.

Phase 4 – Open Data Platform & Policy Integration (Months 16–20)

  • Build a prototype Open Coffee Data Dashboard.
  • Develop privacy protocols and stakeholder access levels.
  • Engage Coffee Directorate, counties, and exporters for integration.

Phase 5 – Climate Compliance Toolkit & MBA Integration (Months 21–24)

  • Produce compliance templates (carbon accounting, deforestation reports).
  • Publish findings in KCS MBA module: Digital Coffee Governance & Climate Compliance.
  • Dissemination workshop with policymakers, donors, and coop leaders.

5. Expected Outputs

  • GIS maps for at least 3 pilot coops with climate overlays.
  • Digital governance toolkit (mobile ledgers, blockchain prototype, payment workflows).
  • Open Coffee Data Dashboard (public + restricted layers).
  • Climate compliance toolkit for FCS (reporting templates, policy briefs).
  • Integration into the KCS MBA curriculum with training manuals and case studies.
  • Policy brief for national and county coffee boards.

6. Budget (Indicative – USD)

CategoryEstimated Cost (USD)
Baseline surveys & stakeholder engagement40,000
GIS Mapping (drones, software, training)60,000
Digitalization Tools (mobile ledgers, blockchain pilots, licenses)75,000
Open Data Dashboard Development50,000
Capacity Building & Training (MBA integration, workshops)45,000
Climate Compliance Toolkit (templates, policy briefs)20,000
Project Management, Monitoring & Evaluation30,000
Total320,000

(Budget can be scaled depending on scope, partners, and co-funding opportunities.)

7. Expected Impact

  • For Farmers: Increased incomes through compliance, better market access, and fairer payouts.
  • For Coops: Stronger governance, transparency, and operational efficiency.
  • For Regulators: Improved monitoring and alignment with international trade requirements.
  • For Kenya’s Coffee Sector: Protection of Kenya’s premium brand, resilience against climate risks, and leadership in digital transformation.
  • For Kenya Coffee School MBA: Positioning as Africa’s hub for cutting-edge coffee business education, producing leaders who can bridge tradition, technology, and sustainability.

8. Potential Partners

  • Government: Coffee Directorate, County Agriculture Departments.
  • Research & Academia: KCS + Open to Universities
  • Private Sector: Agri-tech firms, fintech providers, blockchain / Hyperledger Tech startups, exporters.
  • Development Partners: KCS + Open to Partnerships

Interested in Joining Our Research : Contact +254707503647 or +254704375390
Email : info@kenyacoffeeschool.co.ke