Kibiwott Koross
30 September 2008
Nairobi — The Tea Board of Kenya has been advised against threatening tea farmers who are uprooting the crop.
Agriculture minister William Ruto instead asked the board, the tea industry regulator, to talk to farmers on how to improve production.
"Prosecuting them is not a solution," he said. "The farmers should otherwise be persuaded to know the benefits of the crop."
He said that for the first time, Kenya's tea attained the highest price at the international auction last month, hitting the highest price of $2.75 (about Sh203.5) per kilogramme in 15 years. This time last year, the figure was $1.70.
Good indicators
"These are good indicators for the sector," he said. "Farmers should get an explanation along this line from Kenya tea board."
The minister, who was speaking to journalists at Jamhuri showground in Nairobi, said farmers had the right to choose the crop that favours them economically.
He said the farmers were now opting to cultivate horticultural crops like flowers or rearing dairy cattle, instead of growing tea, because they fetch more income.
"The tea board has the legal authority to prosecute the farmers, but we cannot force them to grow what they cannot benefit from," he said.
"When one realises that tea is no longer productive... well, he may shift to another crop," the minister said.
Tea board managing director Sicily Kariuki said during a media briefing in Nairobi on Monday that the board would take action against the farmers who were uprooting the crop.
She did not, however, elaborate on the kind of action to be taken. The minister said a Bill that seeks to introduce radical changes in the management of the tea industry would be gazetted on Friday this week.
He said that the Bill seeks to end the Kenya Tea Development Authority's monopoly in managing the industry.
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