Tea production dips by 40pc in February

Tea farmers across the country are facing a bleak future following a biting drought that has already
started to take its toll on the cash crop, reversing the gains made previously.

According to Kenya Tea Development Agency KTDA) chair David Ichoho, depressed short rains have significantly impacted production of the major foreign exchange earner.

In the month of February, concerned Ichoho revealed that tea production declined by 40 per cent across all the tea-growing areas, a situation that has significantly affected the income of farmers.

Besides drought, farmers are also reported to be facing rising costs of labour which further lessens their ultimate income.

Speaking at Gathomi village in Gatundu South, Kiambu County where fire accidentally broke out
destroying 600 tea bushes, Ichoho said that although farmers are optimistic of rains to boost production, the government has instituted measures to curb farmers losses for better earnings.

“We are optimistic and hopeful that rains will come by the end of February and March with a hope that we will recoup what we have lost in terms of production,” said Ichoho.