Two tissue culture laboratories were modernised and operationalised in Kenya and Malawi. Standard laboratory operating protocols for the ‘temporary immersion system’ were formulated. The laboratories produced 103,000 coffee plantlets. Three nurseries for weaning of tissue culture plantlets were established in Kenya and 75 farmer-owned nurseries in Malawi. Fertility status of coffee soils in Central and Northern Malawi were determined and the information as well as fertiliser advice made available to coffee stakeholders. Soil scientists have been enabled to undertake chemical analysis of coffee soils and draft fertiliser recommendations. Similarly, coffee extension staff and farmers are now able to undertake soil and leaf sampling for chemical analysis. Four Farmer Field Schools in Malawi facilitated farmer capacity building on good agronomic practices. A public private partnership between the research institutions and commercial nurseries was created allowing the nurseries to directly access coffee plantlets produced through tissue culture.