Tea farmers supplying their green leaves to the Kenya Tea Development Agency have every reason to smile following an increase in the monthly payment.
KTDA national chairman Enos Njeru said the farmers will starting January earn up to Sh25, an increase of between Sh1 to Sh4 for every kilo of green leaves collected at the buying centres.
This, he however, said will depend on the factories in respective regions.
Factories for instance in Mt Kenya will pay Sh25 up from Sh21 while those in the West of Rift will pay Sh23 from Sh21.
“Beginning January 5, tea farmers are set to receive Sh25 monthly for the green leaves they deliver which is higher than last year,” Njeru said.
The decision to raise the pay, he said, is aimed at cushioning the farmers who are struggling due to economic hard times and high cost of living.
“This money will assist farmers, especially in paying for school fees for their children ahead of school reopening and support their families,” Njeru said as he lauded factory directors for the move.
The chair further stated that the monthly payments are expected to go even up as factories continue to embrace diversification and value addition.
He stated that more factories across the country have started processing orthodox tea which has more returns compared to CTC tea in the international markets.
Njeru said the country has a deficit of over 18 million kilograms of orthodox to meet the demand.
About 12 million kilograms are produced yearly which is below the demand of 30 million kilograms in international markets.
He assured farmers that KTDA would fast-track the installation of modern machinery for processing orthodox tea which has high returns for the farmers.
KTDA, he said, will procure over 93 metric tonnes of subsidized fertilizer this month to be shipped in before June ahead of the October short rains to avoid the delays experienced last year.
“We have partnered with the national government and the farmers will receive the fertiliser at a subsidised cost of Sh2,500,” he added.
