Agriland Solution Innovates to Boost Small-Scale Tea Production in Murang’aEthiopia, Qatar Discuss Strengthening of Defense Capacity

MURANG’A — In a significant development aimed at enhancing tea production and profitability for small-scale farmers in Murang’a, Agriland Solution has introduced a series of strategies designed to address the challenges these farmers face, including the high costs of tea picking.

According to Kenya News Agency, the initiative seeks to improve the efficiency of tea picking and management processes, thus ensuring increased production and returns for the farmers involved.

Since September of the previous year, Agriland Solution has been engaging with farmers affiliated with various tea factories across the county, offering a solution to the steep tea picking charges that have adversely affected small-scale farmers. The standard charge of Sh12 per kilo for tea picking has been a point of contention, prompting many farmers to seek alternative solutions due to the unaffordability based on the size of their operations. Agriland Solution’s innovative approach includes providing tea pickers who are compensated on a weekly basis directly by the company, alleviating the financial burden on the farmers.

Sam Muiruri, CEO of Agriland Solution, explained that the firm’s intervention aims to rescue tea farmers from the high costs of production, enabling them to enhance their earnings from tea farming. The company’s services are not limited to small-scale farmers; they also extend support to large-scale producers by offering qualified tea pickers and assisting in the management of the harvested green leaf.

The partnership, which currently includes farmers from Ngeere, Ikumbi, Makomboki, and Njunu tea factories, operates on a model where farmers pay 7.5 percent of their proceeds to Agriland Solution. This fee is deducted from their monthly payments. The arrangement has already shown promising results, with pilot phases indicating a 50 percent increase in farm yields.

Further enhancing the value proposition for farmers, Agriland Solution provides agronomic support, ensuring optimal farm maintenance and addressing any issues that may hamper production. The company also facilitates access to necessary farm inputs at a nominal fee, further streamlining the farming process for tea producers.

To combat the prevalent issue of green leaf theft, Agriland has implemented stringent policies for tea pickers, alongside a secure system at tea buying centers to prevent fraudulent activities. This measure ensures that the integrity of the sales process is maintained, safeguarding both the farmers’ and the pickers’ interests.

Local farmers like Florence Githinji and Samuel Kirubi have praised the initiative, citing improved farm management, increased tea production, and timely payments as significant benefits of their association with Agriland Solution. This innovative approach not only alleviates financial pressures on farmers but also allows them the freedom to diversify their agricultural activities, potentially leading to a more sustainable and profitable farming ecosystem in Murang’a.

DOHA — Ethiopia and Qatar engaged in discussions aimed at enhancing their joint defense capabilities and diplomatic relations.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, the dialogue, as reported by the Ethiopian Embassy in Doha, involved Minister of Defense Abraham Belay and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, along with their respective delegations. The meetings focused on various topics of mutual interest and areas for cooperation between the two nations, with a special emphasis on bolstering their defense partnership.

Additionally, the Ethiopian delegation participated in the 8th Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2024) held in Qatar. This involvement underscores the ongoing efforts to solidify defense ties and explore new avenues for military and diplomatic collaboration between Ethiopia and Qatar.