Nairobi — A coffee farmer in Kirinyaga District has won the Prestigious Dorman's Cup for producing coffee with the best flavour in world.

Mr Walter Mathagu, a retired agricultural officer from Mamuto Coffee Estate in Gichugu division, was presented with the trophy by the managing director of the Dormans coffee company, Mr Jerremy Block over the weekend.

Speaking during the ceremony, Block cautioned farmers in the country over the direct sales of coffee following the introduction of a second window.

He said although he is not opposed to competition, the auction system of coffee marketing still remains the best option for the benefit of the farmer.

Block, who is a leading roaster and exporter of the commodity, challenged the farmers to increase both quality and quantity of coffee in the country.

He said presently, 118 million bags of coffee are produced in the entire world, with Kenya producing only one million such bags.

"Even if central Kenya produces the finest coffee in the world, the quantity is so small for farmers to realise the much desired maximum profi t from the commodity. I challenge you to increase both quality and quantity," Block said.

He told the farmers that todate, 47 coffee dealers have been licensed in the country but only 60 per cent of such dealers can be considered serious.

The dealer further said the Ruiru II Coffee variety had failed to meet the expectations of the farmers since it has poor flavour.

"To me SL 28 and SL 34 remains the only coffee varieties which can produce the best flavour needed to entice buyers and not the Ruiru II," he said.

Block claimed the variety was hurriedly introduced to the farmers without completing its research process hence its poor flavour.