The coffee industry suffers from a variety of problems.

Coffee growers have to deal with diseases (have you heard about the coffee rust problem which has devastated crops in Central America and has triggered a national state of emergency in one country?).

They also have to deal with variable weather conditions.

And pests.

And problems related to climate change.

And that is before the farmers have to consider the resources and technical requirements to boost productivity, harness the latest farming techniques in growth and production and negotiate the price for the sale of their crops.

However, in Africa, there has been a recent article (posted on the All Africa site) which highlights another problem with which the farmers need to contend.

What is it?

A big problem with coffee theft has been reported.

It transpires that the sums which have been lost are considerable.

The chairman of the Othaya Coffee Farmers Cooperative Society says that coffee worth over Sh5 million was lost last year.

So what are they going to do about it?

An anti-coffee theft police unit was created by Nderitu Gachagua, the Nyeri governor, recently.

It is hoped that this unit will go some way to reducing the losses of the farmers.

In addition, the governor has promised more police vehicles will be acquired to boost the presence of the police and their patrols in the relevant areas.

Who is suspected of stealing the coffee?

According to the chairman of the Othaya Coffee Farmers Cooperative Society, the millers are suspected, as the stolen coffee is said to end up in their stores.