This archive report was first published on 15 October 2019.
Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) has clarified the factors influencing tea farmers' bonuses in the South Rift region. According to KTDA's Operations Director, Alfred Njage, the quality of green leaf and processed tea determines farmers' earnings.
During a meeting in Kericho town, attended by Governor Paul Chepkwony, Njage explained that the quality of green leaf is a significant contributor to the overall quality of the cup of tea. He emphasized that only high-quality leaves should be plucked and delivered to the factory.
KTDA's West and East Rift Valley plant the same clone of tea, but the difference lies in the quality of green leaf delivered to factories. Njage noted that factories process varying volumes of tea, depending on the size of the catchment areas and tea production volumes. This affects factory capacity utilization and cost efficiency.
Quality of green leaf is further influenced by ecological and climatic factors, such as soil type and rainfall quantity, as well as farm management practices like fertilizer application, pruning, and plucking. Njage attributed the variation in bonus prices among factories to these factors.
For instance, Momul tea factory paid farmers Sh28 per kilo, while Tegat tea factory paid Sh14. Njage explained that Momul has consistently asked tea growers to deliver high-quality leaves, resulting in better prices.
KTDA is constructing a hydro-power plant along the Chemosit river in Kericho County to reduce electricity costs. Njage emphasized that energy and labor are significant costs in factory operations, and the hydro-power plant will help reduce these expenses.
