We'll enforce law for smallholder tea farmer to reap maximum benefits, says Gachagua

Coffee farmer Charles Mitwiri when he hosted Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on his farm at Nthimbiri village in Imenti North, Meru County on June 9, 2023. [DPCS]

Area Governor Erick Mutai underscored the disparity between the earnings of tea farmers and the price of an indigenous chicken. He revealed that farmers earn only Sh18-Sh20 per kilogram of green leaf, with Sh8 allocated to the plucker and Sh8 covering farm inputs.

"The profitability of tea farming should surpass that of indigenous chicken farming in which an egg costs Sh20, considering that tea is one of the highest-earning crops in the country," Dr Mutai said

Mutai called for the establishment of an inland tea auction in the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) West of Rift region, arguing this facility will help farmers reduce transportation costs to the Mombasa tea auction, as well as expenses associated with warehousing and brokerage.

"The auction market must be re-evaluated. The Mombasa tea auction structure unfairly favours tea brokers, who earn three times more than small-scale tea farmers," said Mutai.

Senate Leader of Majority Aaron Cheruiyot, the key proponent of the Tea Act, stated that the recommendations from the tea conference would be presented to the Senate within three weeks.

Following deliberations and approval, the recommendations will then be forwarded to the National Assembly.

"Tea farmers form the foundation of our society. As legislators, we will not rest until they receive fair value for their crop," said Cheruiyot.

Stakeholders have called on the government to maintain the fertiliser subsidy at Sh3,500 per 50kg bag, arguing this will support tea farmers by enhancing their earnings.