From left: KTDA Holdings chairman Chege Kirundi, Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe and KTDA CEO Wilson Muthaura.
By MKT Correspondent
The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) – Holdings Limited chairman, Mr Chege Kirundi, and the CEO Wilson Muthaura yesterday appraised Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development Mutahi Kagwe on the progress made in reducing the stockpile of unsold tea in Mombasa and in expanding revenue streams to increase farmers’ earnings. Following the presidential directive to urgently address the 106 million kilos of unsold tea at the auction, the board has achieved this target by selling 97% of the tea, and only 3.7 million kilos remain.
The Ministry in collaboration with the board, is breaking into new markets – India, Bulgaria, Georgia, the USA, Iraq, Turkey, Brazil, Russia, Iran, and the Sudan. CS Kagwe pledged a whole-of-government approach and liaising with the Ministry of Investments Trade and Industry to clear up the trading barriers.
The CS also lauded KTDA for initiating reforms to enhance efficiencies, mitigate impact of climate change, diversify investments, and market tea under the Produce of Kenya brand.
These measures will increase revenues, entrench the brand, and segment the market, with the surplus earning farmers higher bonuses. He encouraged the agency to always put the farmer first, partner with lenders like the Agricultural Finance Corporation and local fertilizer manufacturers to enable farmers access affordable capital and inputs.
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