The Kenya Tea Development Agency (Holdings) Limited Board has today approved an increase in monthly green leaf payments for farmers in KTDA regions five, six, and seven by 11 percent and 17 percent respectively in a move aimed at enhancing farmers’ monthly earnings.
Through the move, farmers in KTDA region five – which covers factories in Kericho and Bomet counties – will earn Kshs20 per kilo of green leaf delivered up from Kshs18 previously.
Farmers in both region six – which covers factories in Kisii and Nyamira counties – and region seven – covering factories in Nandi, Trans-Nzoia and Vihiga counties – will now also earn Kshs20 per kilo of green leaf up from KES 17 previously. The pay increment takes place effectively July 1, 2021 – coinciding with the beginning of KTDA’s new financial year.
The decision follows a similar move that was approved by factories in KTDA regions one to four which resolved to increase their monthly green leaf payment to farmers from KES 16 per kilo to KES 21 starting January this year.
It also comes at a time the price of KTDA teas sold at the Mombasa auction has risen from an average of USD 1.90 per kilo to USD 2.43 since the introduction of the minimum reserve price.
Commenting on the increase in monthly green leaf payments to farmers, KTDA Holdings Acting CEO, Wilson Muthaura, said the decision is in line with the organization’s continued endeavour to enhance farmers’ earnings while taking into consideration the fluid socio-economic environment.
“The new Board of KTDA Holdings is pleased to ratify the resolutions by factories in regions five, six, and seven to increase the green leaf payment to farmers from KES 18 and KES 17 per kilo respectively to KES 20 per kilo across the three areas. The move is in line with the commitment the new Board has undertaken to ensure that farmers are getting earnings that reflect their hard work, and which are responsive to their everyday social and economic needs,” said the Acting CEO.
The monthly rate paid to farmers per kilo of green leaf delivered has risen by 250% since 1999 when farmers earned Kshs six per kilo. Between the years 2000 and 2009, the rate per kilo grew by 75% from Kshs six to Kshs 10.5.
Between December 2009 and March 2012, the rate grew by 14.3% from Kshs 10.5 to Kshs 12.
Between April 2012 and July 2016, farmers earned Kshs 14 per kilo of green leaf delivered – a 17 percent rise from the previous period. From 2016 to date, the rate has risen by Kshs 6 and Kshs 7 to Kshs 20 and Kshs 21 for regions five, six, and seven; and for regions one-four.
