Kenyans have been urged to increase their consumption of locally processed tea in a bid to expand the market share and enhance the earnings of farmers. This call comes from six directors affiliated with Nyamache and Itumbe tea factories in Kisii County, who emphasize the need for local support amidst a shrinking global market.
The newly elected directors—Abel Kenyoru, Job Ndarera, Solomon Choti, Mang’ana Barongo, Maxwel Magoma, and Bernard Oirere—highlighted the issue during a recent meeting at the Nyamache Tea Factory. They underscored the importance of local consumption in sustaining the tea industry and improving the livelihoods of farmers.
Promoting Local Tea Consumption
Maxwel Magoma, one of the directors, pointed out that Kenyans currently rely heavily on foreign markets for their tea, unlike countries such as India and China, where locally processed tea is predominantly consumed domestically, with minimal exports. “We want Kenyans to embrace the culture of consuming our tea to extend the sales and enlarge the market,” Magoma stated.
Magoma’s remarks reflect a broader strategy to encourage Kenyans to adopt a culture of drinking locally produced tea. This shift could potentially stabilize the market and provide a more reliable source of income for farmers, reducing their dependence on the volatile global market.
Enhancing Tea Husbandry
In addition to promoting local consumption, Magoma also called on farmers to adopt proper tea husbandry practices. By improving the quality and quantity of their crops, farmers can fetch higher prices in the global market, ultimately boosting their earnings and improving their standard of living.
Magoma stressed the importance of maintaining clean and efficient tea factories and machinery. Ensuring that tea is delivered to factories promptly is crucial to preserving its quality and maximizing farmers’ net earnings. “We will ensure the tea factories and machines are clean and efficient and the tea is delivered at the factories in time to avoid compromising its quality and affecting farmers’ net earnings,” he noted.
Conclusion
The directors’ appeal to Kenyans to increase local tea consumption is a timely initiative aimed at supporting the country’s tea industry. By fostering a culture of drinking locally processed tea and improving tea husbandry practices, there is potential for significant economic benefits for farmers. This approach not only helps stabilize the local market but also enhances the overall quality of Kenyan tea, ensuring it remains competitive both locally and globally.
As Kenyans rally behind this initiative, the collective effort could lead to a more robust and sustainable tea industry, ultimately uplifting the livelihoods of farmers and securing the future of one of the country’s most important agricultural sectors.
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