Farmers in Gatundu South, Kiambu county, have called for full implementation of tea sector reforms so as to increase returns from their produce.
The reforms initiated by the government have streamlined the sector and tea is now regaining its status as the green gold of Kenya, they said.
Their produce is now fetching good prices, which in turn has improved their livelihoods and kept them busy in their farms.
The farmers now seek to increase their yields.
Speaking in a meeting to confirm elected directors from Theta and Ndarugu tea factories on Friday, the farmers exuded confidence in their leaders.
“Our directors and KTDA management have promised farmers that there will be an increase in tea bonuses and we also expect that green leaf pay that we receive every end month will be increased,” James Waweru said.
"We are grateful that we are now reaping benefits from our hard work in tea farms.”
The new leadership will seek better markets for Kenyan tea, which will see prices rise.
The farmers have been agitating for an increment of green leaf pay from Sh25 to Sh30 per kilogramme.
They also hailed dropping of legal suits filed by former directors challenging their ousting.
“We don’t want any hurdles that will block implementation of all reforms in this sector. We anticipate a great future for the sector and hope that tea will turnaround our lives and the country’s economy,” Leah Wanjiru said.
MP Gabriel Kagombe, who is one of the directors, reiterated that Kenyan tea will fetch competitive prices in global markets after value addition.
“Our farmers will enjoy pay rise once we tea value addition is fully adopted. There’s ready market for tea products globally which will also fetch our country billions in foreign exchange,” Kagombe said.
The tea research and value addition centre in Kericho last month was a testament of the President William Ruto-led administration's determination to bolster quality.
Stakeholders including the Kenya Tea Development Agency and the Tea Board of Kenya must work round the clock to ensure the product becomes a competitive beverage like soda, beer and cocoa, so as to expand the market and increase returns.
He also challenged KTDA to embark on and invest in tea research so as to introduce high-yielding and special varieties that would fetch high prices and play a role in the country's economic growth.
Theta tea factory chairman Wanyoike Gatithi, who was re-elected, said farmers are expected to receive increased tea bonuses by October, thanks to the reforms.
The sector has stabilised and tea production has significantly increased, with farmers producing high quality tea.
He added that plans have been put in place to ensure all farmers receive adequate and subsidised fertiliser before the onset of rains, to enable them maximise on their production.