Nairobi — The Kenya Planters Co-operative Union is finalising plans to start roasting and branding local coffee, so it can fetch higher prices on the international market.

The firm is waiting for the Government to release Sh200 million for the project, said Mr Selesio Mbogo, KPCU's field services manager.

Addressing farmers' representatives yesterday at Nyeri town's YMCA hall, Mr Mbogo said they had identified four brands under which Kenyan coffee will be marketed once the project kicks off. Mr Mbogo said KPCU would buy the commodity at the auction, roast and grinding it and repackage it to the international standards.

"We shall want to ensure we meet the international standards where the repackaged commodity can last for at least six months in the shelves", he told the farmers.

Once the project is over, KPCU estimates that payments to farmers, will increase by over 50 per cent. Presently, growers receive an average of Sh30 per kilogramme of fresh coffee cherries delivered. "We shall now be paying at least Sh50 per kilogramme of cherry delivered," Mr Mbogo said.

He said Mt Kenya region coffee would be sold under the name Mt Kenya AA, Maragwa, Thika and Kiambu under Aberdare Coffee, Machakos area under Mara Coffee and Nyanzan and Western Kenya under Blue Mountains.

Mr Mbogo said KPCU has already shifted its milling factory from headquarters in the city to Dandora area.