In Kenya’s rich coffee belt, something remarkable is brewing and it’s not just the coffee. RODI Kenya is spearheading a quiet transformation in how coffee waste is managed, turning what was once seen as pollution into a powerful tool for sustainable farming.

Traditionally, coffee factories release fermentation water a by-product of coffee processing into nearby rivers. This water, though rich in organic matter, contributes to severe pollution of local waterways, endangering both ecosystems and community health. Similarly, coffee husks, another by-product, were typically discarded as agricultural waste.

But at RODI Kenya, a team dedicated to empowering farmers through innovation and sustainability saw this not just as a problem but as an opportunity.

During a training forum with coffee factory managers, RODI’s team made a breakthrough: the nutrient-rich fermentation water could replace molasses in the production of biofertilizers like Bokashi and Supermagro, while coffee husks could take the place of rice husks.

RODI conducted field trials to test the fermentation water’s suitability. The results were promising . This opened a new chapter in sustainable farming.

With this knowledge, RODI trained farmers and factory managers at Giathugu and Kihuyo coffee factories in Nyeri County. The transformation was immediate. Farmers now produce high-quality biofertilizers at a lower cost, boosting soil health and crop yields all while protecting local rivers from pollution.

What began as a small experiment has now become a movement toward circular farming where waste is no longer waste, but a valuable resource.

With continued support and knowledge sharing, RODI Kenya is helping farmers grow not just better coffee, but a sustainable future.