Mombasa: The government has announced the allocation of Sh2 billion for the distribution of 97,000 metric tonnes of subsidised fertiliser aimed at supporting tea farmers. This initiative is intended to enhance agricultural productivity and ease the burden on farmers while ensuring consistent access to crucial inputs required to improve tea harvests and quality.
According to Kenya News Agency, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, speaking at the Tea Industry Centenary Summit at Sarova Whitesands, highlighted the government’s efforts over the past two years. The government has provided over 180,000 metric tonnes of subsidised fertiliser to farmers, priced at 2,500 per 50 kg bag. The summit coincided with the Tea Board of Kenya’s celebration of 100 years of tea commercialisation.
Addressing broader challenges within the tea sector, Kindiki noted significant progress in resolving governance issues at the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA). Recent elections have introduced new leadership, and ongoing legal and ins
titutional reforms aim to enhance the sector’s performance. These measures will ensure strict enforcement to protect the interests of farmers.
Kindiki also mentioned that amendments to the Tea Act 2020 are underway, with some regulations required to operationalise the Act still in development. The government continues to tackle challenges in the tea value chain, including high production costs, market access, lack of value addition, tea quality, and governance issues.
The Agriculture Pillar in the Kenya Kwanza Government Plan focuses on subsidising tea production rather than consumption, aiming to improve agricultural production, ensure food security, create jobs, and boost exports. Kenyan tea is globally recognised for its quality and generates close to 200 billion in foreign exchange earnings annually, contributing 2 percent to the country’s GDP.
Kindiki acknowledged the critical role of women in the tea industry, noting that they account for over 60 percent of global tea production. He also emphasised t
he environmental benefits of tea cultivation and its role in sustainable farming practices, which help mitigate climate change impacts.
The Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, Andrew Karanja, echoed the government’s commitment to addressing the tea industry’s challenges through the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda. Prioritising tea as a key value chain, he stressed the importance of value addition and improving tea quality to maintain competitiveness globally.
Both Kindiki and Karanja underscored the government’s dedication to supporting the tea sector and ensuring long-term solutions to its challenges, aiming to unlock the industry’s full potential on the world stage.