{
  "id": 1519050,
  "title": "Government keen on revitalizing tea sector in Kisii region",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/government-keen-on-revitalizing-tea-sector-in-kisii-region",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-17T16:11:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "KBC",
    "slug": "kbc",
    "url": "https://www.kbc.co.ke/government-keen-on-revitalizing-tea-sector-in-kisii-region/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Agriculture Principal Secretary Dr Kipronoh Rono affirmed the government's commitment to enhance the tea sector in Kisii region, aiming to uplift farmers' income from the crop. During a meeting with Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary Stephen Isaboke and the Board of Directors of Nyamache Tea Factory, Dr Rono ordered the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) to prevent tea hawking within the region as part of revitalization efforts. The President's directive allowing tea factories to sell directly to buyers could potentially boost farmers' earnings by expanding market access and cutting reliance on conventional marketing channels. The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) announced the procurement of 2 million bags of fertiliser for tea farmers nationwide, with the cost reduced to Ksh 2,500, similar to other farmers. This move seeks to lower production costs and encourage investment in farm maintenance and enhancement.\n\nDr Isaboke emphasized the sector's significance in Kisii County, where it sustains thousands of households and contributes substantially to the local economy. He highlighted the need for innovative solutions to improve farmers' income. The discussions centered on strategies to improve earnings through value addition, innovation, digitalisation, direct marketing, and reducing production costs. Other initiatives to revitalize the tea sector include the phased replacement of aged tea bushes to boost quality and secure farmers' income. Smallholder tea farmers will receive 100,000 seedlings, while 14 tea factories in Kisii County and Nyamira County will each get 100,000 seedlings. The board also requested the government to consider funding the renovation and installation of an orthodox tea line at a tea factory, estimated at Ksh 250 million.",
  "summary": "Agriculture Principal Secretary Dr Kipronoh Rono has said the government is committed to improving tea sector in Kisii region to ensure farmers secure higher income from the commodity. In a meeting with Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary Stephen Isaboke and Board of Directors of Nyamache Tea Factory which was intended to address challenges facing tea […] The post Government…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}