Nairobi, KENYA, Feb 19 - The meteoric rise of world coffee prices is creating a stir in the Kenyan industry.<br /><br />Farmers who had abandoned the crop and new comers to the trade are all scrambling for seedlings from the Coffee Research Foundation (CRF) at Jacaranda in Ruiru.<br /><br />And as Kenya positions itself to take advantage of the upward trajectory, women farmers now want a piece of the action.<br /><br />Director of Research at the foundation, Dr Joseph Kimemia says they are working to develop varieties that produce high yields, are disease resistant and produce high quality cherry.<br /><br />Speaking at the Ruiru Coffee Fair - 2011, Dr Kimemia said: "The research that we do is what gives us an edge. Kenya continues to produce very high quality coffee." <br /><br />"We develop the methodologies of management in the nursery and subsequently planting on the farms; how to protect against diseases and pests, how to harvest, process and even how to roast," he added.
