Kiambu County KTDA board member, David Muni said the increased pay is as a result of improved cash flows by the agency from the successful implementation of tea reforms that the government set to mitigate against the declining earning by the smallholder tea growers.
Ronoh implored on the farmers to embrace technology through the implementation of automated tea manufactures and processing and mechanical tea harvesters that will gradually replace the hand pickers.
“There is a misconception that the mechanization of tea picking will result in joblessness. Mechanization is a key components of technology that will see farmers intensify their production for better earnings,” added Ronoh.
Lower tea production is attributed to drought conditions and depressed rainfall which dominated farm output resulting in the contraction of the agricultural sector.
Ronoh called on farmers to apply fertilizer to tea bushes to ensure consistent high quality and premium tea production.
By: Sally Namuye