CS Machogu will inaugurate Kenya’s first tea academy
To organize the industry, the government has advanced its intention to open Kenya’s first-ever Tea Academy through the Ministry of Education.
CS education According to a statement made by Ezekiel Machogu on Thursday, July 20, the academy would also be used to support the industry’s expansion.
The initiative will be led by Lipton Teas and Infusions Company, which has locations in Mombasa and Kericho, in collaboration with the State.
To explore the specifics of the relationship, Machogu met with the tea company together with Beatrice Muganda, Principal Secretary for University Education and Research, and Langat Kipkirui, Director of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA).
With tea farmers concentrated in 19 different regions across the nation, including Nakuru, Narok, Kericho, Bomet, Nyamira, and Kisii, it is unknown where the academy will be situated.
Kakamega, Bungoma, Vihiga, Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet, Trans-Nzoia, Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Embu, Tharaka-Nithi, and Meru are additional counties well known for their tea production.
If established, the academy is anticipated to improve the lives of approximately 650,000 small-scale Kenyan tea producers.
Tea is currently one of the top sources of foreign income, accounting for over 23% of Kenya’s total foreign exchange profits.
535.04 million kilograms of tea were produced in 2022 alone, of which 410.26 million kilograms—an increase from 388 kg the year before—were sold at the auction.
The majority of the tea was afterwards shipped to Pakistan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Yemen, Sudan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.
According to a study from the International Tea Committee (ITC) in February 2023, Kenya continued to slowly expand and continued to lead first-world nations in the production and export of opulent black tea.
After shipping 558 million kg of tea in 2021, Kenya was the world’s largest exporter, followed by China and Sri Lanka.
“China was the main player, producing a staggering 3 million tonnes of tea in 2021, or about half of the total production of 6.45 million tonnes worldwide. India produced 1.3 million tonnes of tea.
However, the situation is a little bit different in terms of exports. According to a report from the International Tea Committee (ITC) at the time, Kenya was the world’s top exporter of tea in 2021, selling 558 million kilograms on international markets. China and Sri Lanka came in second and third, respectively, with 369 million kilograms and 282 million kilograms of exports.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua cautioned that cartels had invaded the industry, impeding revenue growth, despite Kenya being the world leader in tea exports.
Speaking at the conclusion of the two-day Kericho tea reform summit in July 2023, the DP pledged to implement significant changes at the Kenya Tea Development Agency to enhance farmer welfare.
“Never let anyone mistake this for a talk show. This is the start of the farmer’s dignity being restored. Gachagua emphasized that “we must succeed” and even threatened to give the names of the cartels to law enforcement.
CS Machogu will inaugurate Kenya’s first tea academy
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