Govt orders tea factories to reject poor-quality leaf
Kagwe said modernising factories would have little impact on farmers’ earnings if factories continued accepting leaf that does not meet the recommended “two leaves and a bud” standard.
NAIROBI, Kenya – Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has instructed tea factories to reject substandard green leaf in an effort to bolster a Sh7.1 billion initiative to upgrade processing facilities. Kagwe emphasized that modernization would be ineffective if factories persisted in accepting inferior leaf that does not conform to the "two leaves and a bud" standard.
During a visit to Kapsara Tea Factory, the CS presented Sh44.6 million for a new withering plant. Kagwe stressed that poor-quality leaf reduces tea's market value and ultimately impacts farmers' earnings. He stressed that farmers who comply with quality standards should not be penalized by inferior leaf processed alongside their product.
The government's tea strategy aims to elevate green-leaf quality, modernize factories, boost orthodox and specialty tea production, and enhance access to global markets. Kagwe offered the example of Momul Tea Factory, where enhanced leaf quality elevated the tea's value from around $2 to over $3 per kilogramme, demonstrating that higher-quality tea can lead to better farmer returns.
At Kapsara, the Sh44.6 million investment will fund a new withering plant to replace outdated equipment that guzzles electricity. The overall Sh7.1 billion modernization scheme targets aging machinery, energy efficiency, and processing expenses while promoting the production of higher-value teas. Kagwe also advocated for broader tea market diversification to lessen dependence on conventional buyers and increase sales of orthodox, specialty, and value-added teas.
He highlighted that the tea levy would aid price stabilization, research, infrastructure, marketing, quality enhancement, value addition, and the development of new markets. Kagwe urged tea factory managers to ensure the allocated modernization funds are utilized accordingly and called for ongoing farmer training and extension services to elevate the quality of green leaf supplied to factories.
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