§ Mr. Haleasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the present restrictions imposed on the growing of coffee by European, Asian and African planters, respectively, in Kenya; and when these restrictions were imposed.
§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd,pursuant to Mr. Hare's reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 27th June, 1956; Vol. 555, c. 474–5], supplied the following information:
Since 1934, planters of all races have been required to obtain a licence to grow coffee. With the object of maintaining good marketable quality, planting is restricted to areas suitable for growing coffee.
127WCoffee grown in the Native Lands is marketed co-operatively and the variety of seed which may be planted is controlled to secure a good uniform standard in the interests of the growers.
While an individual African undertaking coffee cultivation for the first time is issued with only 100 trees in the first place, as soon as he is accustomed to the management of the crop—which calls for great care in its cultivation—the expansion of his area under coffee is limited only by his ability to maintain good husbandry.