By KTDA
In its unwavering commitment to enhance economic stability across tea communities under the Farmer First Mantra, KTDA Foundation, under the leadership of General Manager Mr. Sudi Matara, held a pivotal consultative meeting with the Board and Management of Gacharage Tea Factory on Wednesday.
Together with their valued partners; TechnoServe and SokoFresh, they officially introduced the CASA Avocado Diversification Project, a bold initiative under the Social Enterprise arm of KTDA Foundation. This transformative program seeks to bridge the 70% living income gap faced by smallholder tea farmers by creating sustainable, climate-smart income streams beyond tea.
“This project is a critical driver for sustainable rural development,” remarked Mr. Wilfred Gathitu, Chairman of Gacharage Tea Factory, as the board expressed full endorsement and enthusiasm for the initiative.
The Factory leadership committed to providing land for a certified avocado nursery and a solar-powered cooler plant, which will serve as an aggregation hub operated through the factory-based Community-Based Organization (CBO).
This integrated model will enable farmers to collectively store, bulk, and market their avocados efficiently, maximizing income and reducing post-harvest losses.
This milestone positions Gacharage Tea Factory as a center of excellence; hosting a certified nursery, demonstration farm, and solar-powered aggregation hub to empower farmers with hands-on knowledge, innovation, and market linkages.
This collaboration is more than diversification; t’s a transformational leap toward financial resilience, inclusive growth, and a sustainable future for our growers.
