By: Waithaka Kariuki
Mr Ichoho had a nice time with tea farmers at Theta Tea Factory in Gatundu South.
At the auspicious event, KTDA Foundation awarded grants worth Ksh 855,000 to farmer groups at Theta Tea Factory to support their small businesses.
A total of nine farmer groups comprising 212 farmers will be empowered to upscale their businesses as well as embark on economically viable projects.
Mr Ichoho noted, “This is part of an income diversification project that the Foundation is implementing to encourage farmers to reduce overreliance on the income from tea.”
Mr Ichoho also alluded that he has been championing efforts to have factories equipped with orthodox tea production lines.
“Orthodox tea is different in processing form the conventional tea. That’s why we have been working in tandem with line government agencies to see to it that at least sixteen factories benefits from the orthodox tea production lines. This tea is highly valuable especially in the international market thereby earning our country foreign exchange.
The Chairman Ichoho noted with gratitude that God has heard the prayers of his people and heaven has opened with blessings of rain in the whole country. He stated that the rain will heal the land and provide growth for farmers’ tea and food crops. He asked farmers to plant high producing seed which matures on short period to benefit from the rain.
The Chairman reported that their visit to Pakistan lead by Cabinet Secretary for agriculture Hon Mithika Linturi has born fruits immediately as the Government of Pakistan classified tea as ESSENTIAL food item. This will enable provision of USD currency required for import. Pakistan imports 82% of their tea consumption from Kenya. In year 2022 it imported 191M kg out of 234M kg from Kenya.
Mr Ichoho stated “we in the Tea sector will take necessary strategy and policy directions aimed at overcoming the current tea challenges and place institution to sustainable profitable sector in the global arena”
