Tea sector top government pillar in driving the economy says PS   

Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Ronoh has disclosed that for the past  one year the tea sector has contributed almost 4 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product [GDP].

He said the tea sector is critical to the country’s economy and it is both the  pillar and the country’s foundation.

“It moved from sh 138 billion in earnings to close to sh 200 billion which is attributed to good rain seasons,” he pointed out.

Ronoh added that this is in line with the government subsidized fertilizer program and increment of tea bushes.

He was speaking at the port of Mombasa in Mombasa county during the flagging off of the first batch of a consignment of one million tonnes of fertilizer meant for small holder farmers imported by the Kenya Tea Development Agency [KTDA].

The Agriculture Principal Secretary urged tea famers to up their game while walking together with the government as they make their efforts to market their products.

Ronoh, who was flanked by KTDA chairman Enos Njeru, KTDA Chief Executive Officer [CEO] Wilson Muthaura and Kenya Ports Authority [KPA] Managing Director Captain William Ruto, said the government will ensure there are enough tea stocks in terms of quality.

He pointed out the move will enable the farmers not only to get their livelihoods but also enable the country improve on its social indicator.

“I laud KTDA for pushing at sufficient levels in terms of kilo on unsold  stock,” he pointed out.

The PS has applauded the KTDA board of management for coming up with factory management agreement to reduce the cost of holdings.

Ronoh said initially there were high costs of holdings on supervision from the KTDA board of management.

He reminded the forum that he is happy KTDA management board has come up with factory management agreement which has been implemented from 1st  July this year.

“Close to 6,050 small tea farmers are likely to benefit from the first batch of subsidized fertilizer program,” he disclosed.