KTDA targets switch to orthodox tea to raise farmers revenue
By Brian Malila, April 17, 2023Kenya Tea Development Agency [KTDA] has pledged to help farmers venture into the processing of orthodox tea to increase their income. David Ichoho (pictured), KTDA chairman said there is a high demand of orthodox tea in the international markets and this will ensure increased earnings for the farmers.
‘’Orthodox tea which include oolong, green, white or black tea have a high demand and KTDA has sourced for markets that require more than two million kilos annually,’’ he said.
Global market
Ichoho who addressed tea directors in Embu County noted that over 95 per cent of locally produced tea is exported while only five per cent is consumed locally, which he said exposes the produce to global market fluctuations.
Currently, KTDA factories produce a tea variety commonly known as Cutting, Tearing and Curling (CTC) that generates less income as compared to orthodox tea.
Speaking early this year in Murang’a, Ichoho said KTDA plans to install orthodox tea processing machines in 13 factories in various places in the country. “The machines will help in processing of orthodox tea which has high demand in the international markets and will eventually enable farmers to get more returns,” said the chairperson.
Ichoho noted that over 95 per cent of the locally produced tea is exported while only five per cent is consumed locally, which he said exposes the produce to global market fluctuations.
He stated that already the reforms being undertaken by the KTDA were aimed at ensuring that the farmers reap big from their sweat.
Ichoho said among the changes they need to initiate is to have a harmonised draft that will take care of the needs of the farmers and improve on the workforce of all the tea factories. He said manufacturing of tea and management need experts to undertake such duties. Ichoho further observed that in effecting the reforms KTDA came across numerous challenges including court cases filed by parties who were opposed some decisions.
KTDA board director Enos Njeru said many tea buyers were now eyeing the orthodox market to ensure farmers fetch a lot of money.
‘’Before the end of this year we shall have shifted to orthodox tea market,’’ he said. In 2021, Kenya was ranked third among the largest tea producers globally after China and Sri Lanka.