Joy as tea farmers in Kericho to earn Sh1.2 billion bonus

Kevinson Kipngetich Duncan, a farmer, plucking tea at his farm at Kamaget in Kericho County. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]

Jane Soi, who delivered her green leaf to Momul, said they are happy with the bonus, adding: "The ongoing reforms have restored our hope in the tea sector. We were discouraged by the low prices and low bonuses in the previous years."

In the year ending June 2023, green leaf deliveries to factories that are managed by the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) dropped by 8.5 per cent to 1.15 billion kilos as farmers grappled with a prolonged drought.

This was also a drop from the 1.253 billion kilos delivered in the same period last year.

Likewise, tea prices at the auction recorded a slight dip, of three per cent, with the average price for all KTDA-managed factories standing at $2.69 (2022-2023) compared to $2.76 a year earlier.

"We have had the twin challenges of a severe drought and a very challenging global tea market due to lack of access to the US dollar by key tea buying markets, but we are continuously working to make sure farmers get the best value for their hard work," Langat said.

In January, KTDA disbursed a Sh5.5 billion payment for the December green leaf deliveries.

Under KTDA's payment model, farmers are paid monthly with an extra mini-bonus followed by a full bonus attributed to factory performance.

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