Nairobi: Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) has marked a defining moment in the country’s tea industry with the launch of its flagship publication, The KTDA Magazine. The magazine is expected to serve as a vital platform for sharing industry insights, best practices, and success stories from tea farmers across the country.
According to Kenya News Agency, in addition to the publication, KTDA unveiled its bold ‘Farmer First’ strategy, anchored on the theme ‘Farmer First: Empowering Growth, Sustaining Legacy’. The event, held in Nairobi, brought together key players in the tea value chain and centered its focus on repositioning the farmer at the core of all operations, policy, and strategic transformation.
Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Agriculture and Livestock Development Mutahi Kagwe maintained that the country’s smallholder tea farmers were the heartbeat of the tea sector. ‘For too long, they have operated at the mercy of systems that did not prioritize them. It’s time to turn that tide,’ stated Kagwe, describing the ‘Farmer First’ approach as not just a philosophy but a moral obligation.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Tea Board of Kenya, Willy Mutai, the CS emphasized the need for bold reforms in governance, digitization, climate-smart agriculture, and fair market access, calling on KTDA to lead the charge in reimagining the future of tea in Kenya. ‘We must ensure that the farmer’s voice is not only heard but amplified. When the farmer grows, the entire economy grows,’ urged Kagwe. He reiterated that the government is committed to supporting reforms that benefit the farmers, who were the real owners of this industry.
Echoing this commitment, KTDA Group CEO Wilson Muthaura unpacked the significance of the ‘Farmer First’ mantra through the Kisii term ‘Ukuchu’, which translates to ‘to rise’. He stressed that every decision KTDA makes must lead to one outcome, which is putting more money in the farmer’s pocket. ‘Our mission is simple: to offer total solutions to farmers,’ said Muthaura, adding that whether it is food, education, or shelter, KTDA must be a business that supports the farmer holistically by ensuring timely payments, providing access to cheap loans, and helping them live in dignity.
Further, the CEO announced ambitious plans to raise farmer earnings from the current 75 percent to nearly 100 percent of returns within the next few years. In this regard, he challenged KTDA staff at every level, from field officers to headquarters, to align their work with the well-being of the farmer. ‘We must wake up, eat, dream, and think about farming happiness. Putting the farmer first doesn’t mean neglecting other stakeholders, but it means our priorities must begin with the ones who plant, harvest, and deliver the tea,’ rallied Muthaura.
On the other hand, the CEO disclosed that KTDA is investing in digital solutions such as mobile applications that allow farmers to track tea deliveries and monitor payments – tools that enhance transparency and decision-making power for the farmer. ‘This is no longer just a model; it is a movement,’ Muthaura affirmed, describing the ‘Farmer First’ strategy as a revolution and not just a business shift. He highlighted that the Agency is driving change through smart farming, climate resilience, market diversification, and operational efficiency as he demanded that every cost must translate into income for the farmer.
In his remarks, KTDA National Chairman Chege Kirundi made a firm call to action, emphasizing that the time for talk was over with reference to the over 650,000 smallholder tea farmers under KTDA’s umbrella. ‘For too long, farmers have not fully experienced the weight of their ownership. That must change, and it will,’ vowed Kirundi. ‘We are not watching change; we are driving it.’ He praised the leadership of the KTDA Board and reaffirmed the Agency’s responsibility to protect and enhance the legacy of Kenyan tea by being transparent, accountable, and farmer-focused.
‘This magazine we are launching today is more than pages; it’s a celebration of who we are, a platform for our future, and a mirror of our shared journey,’ he declared, saying that it brings together farmers, partners, suppliers, and the full tea ecosystem into one narrative. Chairman Kirundi urged all stakeholders to commit to actionable plans and not just rhetoric, asserting, ‘We are restructuring, we are renewing, and we are revitalizing. From the bush to the boardroom, every step must say, Farmer First.’