Kenya's tea production falls by 30pc due to prolonged dry spell
Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) board chairman Peter Kanyago, who has said there has been a 30 per cent drop in tea production owing to a prolonged dry spell. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Mr Kanyago said that since production is down, farmers are likely to receive less pay in 2017.
- Ragati chairman Eustace Karanja said his factory is one of the most affected.
- He said they have been experiencing a 40 per cent deficit in crop production from July 2016.
Tea production in the country has fallen by 30 per cent in the last five months due to climate change and a prolonged dry spell.
Kenya Tea Development Agency board chairman Peter Kanyago said that although tea prices have improved at the Mombasa auction, there has been no increase in production due to changes in climate.
Speaking during an annual general meeting at Ragati Tea Factory in Mathira, Nyeri County, Mr Kanyago said that since production is down, farmers are likely to receive less pay in 2017.
He said the effects started in June 2016, the beginning of the current financial year.
Mr Kanyago also urged politicians to keep away from the tea industry, saying politics should not interfere with the running of the agricultural sector.
Ragati chairman Eustace Karanja said his factory is one of the most affected, with farmers who sell tea to it experiencing a 40 per cent deficit in production from July 2016.
Mr Karanja said the deficit had forced the factory to lay off some workers, especially casual labourers.
“We have also minimised the cost of operations due to lack of high [crop] production. The directors have also reduced their costs. We were among those who have been greatly affected in Zone IV,” he said.
