Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) is taking proactive steps to shield its farmers from the devastating effects of climate change. The agency has launched a diversification program aimed at reducing revenue losses caused by the changing weather patterns.
According to KTDA's General Manager for Sustainable Agriculture, Salesio Kaberia, the agency is encouraging farmers to shift from traditional cutting, tearing, and curling (CTC) tea to higher-value specialty teas. This move is expected to boost farmers' incomes and provide a more sustainable source of revenue.
As part of the diversification program, KTDA is also introducing avocado farming, with a focus on exporting Hass avocados. Additionally, the agency is promoting dairy production as a supplementary income stream for farmers.
The initiative is part of the Mt Kenya Sustainable Landscape and Livelihoods Project, which aims to train 50,000 tea and coffee farmers in Embu on climate-smart agriculture practices. The project also seeks to conserve water and promote biodiversity in the Mt Kenya water tower.
KTDA is working in partnership with the Rainforests Alliance and county governments to achieve the project's objectives. The agency has already made significant strides in reducing its reliance on wood fuel, with its factories achieving a 20% reduction in wood fuel consumption through the introduction of co-firing.
Climate change has had a significant impact on tea earnings, with reduced and erratic rainfall contributing to a downward trend. To mitigate this, KTDA is helping farmers to introduce more resilient, higher-yielding tea clones in place of older varieties.
The agency is also exploring ways to attract more youths into the tea business, recognizing the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship in the sector.
