Coffee farmers from North Mugirango constituency have called on the county agricultural officers to help combat a mysterious disease that has seen a number of them incur losses in the past one month.
Speaking on Monday during a meeting to discuss the crisis, the farmers blamed the Coffee Research Institute and the county government for failing to act in time to prevent the immense loses that have been witnessed because of the disease.
The farmers said the disease was affecting the roots of coffee trees leading to eventual falling of the trees in a record period of about two weeks.
“As coffee farmers, we are in a deep problem because of the disease. It has uprooted a number of coffee trees and it’s so fast that it does so in two weeks time. Through representatives, we have tried to reach coffee research institute in Kisii, but no official has bothered to come and investigate. The same is also happening to our county officials,” said Fred Nyabuta on behave of farmers.
They urged the county agricultural officials to visit the region before the disease inflicts further damages to other trees.
“We are appealing to agriculture officials from the county government to visit our farms and give us a solution before the menace extends to safe coffee trees. Coffee is our livelihood and if we continue witnessing this, then we are definitely facing tough economic times ahead of us,” Nyabuta added.
Nyabuta said Ekerenyo, Mawawa, Nyamusi and Kegogi regions were the most affected areas.