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 The cover of Newsletter N.2
Kenya can't solve it alone
Last developments in Kenya
Local initiatives
Have you taken the ethnic route?
The political crisis in Kenya
 Let's drink the Tea of Peace
African Pride
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PEACE KENYA! LET’S DRINK THE TEA OF PEACE
Tea in our country.
KARIBU SANA
Paul Luttah Kongani, Nairobi
Tea farming has proved to be the most productive farming in central and the Rift Valley provinces in Kenya, the main reason being the access local and foreign markets (e.g. Europe, Middle East and Pakistan). Climatic conditions also contribute to the increase of tea production.
The government has also come in at the right time by writing off the long standing loans on farmers and introducing loans with low rate of interest. The other factor is the availability of semi-qualified labour. Tea farming has got its challenges in my country both for farmers and producers. Farmers are most hit by poor road networks where tea leaves get spoilt on the way to the factory. The fertilizers are very expensive regardless of the loans granted to farmers. Accidents like snakes bites are in the increase. AIDS and respiratory diseases have also been on increase amongst workers.
While tea farming continues to increase in production the are no signs of increase in new farming fields and change of technology a part of the introduction of tea plucking machines which has got stiff resistance from trade unions and employees. Farmers’ living standards have remained the same but are considered better if compared to those of coffee farmers. To improve the living standards of the farmers, the government should come up with a clear export policy, reduce taxes on farm inputs and improve infrastructure.
The government should come in and set clear guidelines regulating the trade and social conditions of the purchase of tea leaves from the farmers.
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Newsletter N.1 English Version