Kenya Launches Coffee Geo-Mapping to Meet EU Deforestation Rules

• Kenya begins coffee geo-mapping to meet EU deforestation regulations.
• DRSRS, KFS, and KSA are leading the compliance initiative.
• 30% of coffee areas already mapped; validation to follow before Dec 2025.
• Project uses remote sensing, GPS, and mobile tools for traceability.
• Cloud system set up for data collection, monitoring, and compliance.
• Exercise expected to strengthen sustainability and protect market access.

The Directorate of Resource Surveys and Remote Sensing (DRSRS) has called for close coordination among government agencies as Kenya embarks on a national coffee geo-mapping exercise to comply with new European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requirements.

The initiative, led by DRSRS in collaboration with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and the Kenya Space Agency (KSA), seeks to protect market access for Kenyan coffee by proving that it is grown on non-deforested land.

Speaking on behalf of DRSRS Director-General Dr. Moses Akali, Director of Remote Sensing Charles Situma said the project will generate farm-level polygons and metadata to demonstrate compliance. So far, about 30 percent of coffee-growing areas have been mapped using satellite imagery, with field validation and geo-tagging planned ahead of the December 2025 deadline.

The exercise will combine remote sensing, GPS surveys, and mobile tools to ensure reliable farm-level traceability. A cloud-based system has also been developed to integrate data collection, verification, and compliance monitoring.

Dr. Akali noted that success will require efficient field operations, strong communication, and unwavering agency commitment. He added that beyond compliance, the program will create a foundation for data-driven and sustainable agriculture in Kenya.

DRSRS Technical Lead Vincent Imala assured stakeholders that the agency has the capacity to deliver the project, highlighting that technical staff from partner agencies such as KFS, KSA, and the AFA-Coffee Directorate will participate in joint validation at DRSRS labs.

Kenya Forest Service Manager for Forest Survey and Information Management, Evans Kegode, said the mapping will not only strengthen Kenya’s credibility in international markets but also promote sustainability, improve farmer livelihoods, and build resilience against climate change.

The planning forum marked the final stage before the nationwide rollout of the coffee geo-mapping exercise.