- KALRO Tea Research Institute has distributed 20,000 elite tea seedlings to farmers in Kapkoros and Boito, Bomet County, to boost yields.
- The seedlings include drought tolerant TRFK 301/5 and high volume TRFCA SFS 150, developed for Kenya’s tea growing highlands.
- The Ministry of Agriculture is also promoting avocado and coffee farming in Bomet to diversify farmers’ income
The Ministry of Agriculture, working with Bomet County, has distributed 20,000 elite tea seedlings to farmers in Kapkoros and Boito to lift yields.
The engagement brought together Agriculture Principal Secretary (PS) Dr Paul Kiprono and Parliamentary Affairs PS Aurelia Rono, alongside other leaders from the two farming areas. The Ministry organised the event in partnership with the County Government of Bomet.
Beyond tea, the Boito leg of the visit also touched on avocados and coffee. This reflects the Ministry’s broader push to diversify farmer incomes in the region, which has in recent years seen growing interest in avocado farming as an alternative to tea.
At the centre of the day’s activities was the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation’s Tea Research Institute (KALRO-TRI), whose elite tea varieties were handed to farmers to replace old, low yielding bushes. The Ministry said the move was designed to lift both productivity and competitiveness in the sector.
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PS Ronoh flagged off the distribution of the seedlings. KALRO-TRI was represented by Dr Ochanda, who stood in for Institute Director Ms Lilian Kerio, who was away on other official duties.
The 20,000 certified seedlings distributed across Kapkoros and Boito comprised two elite clones bred by KALRO-TRI for Kenya’s tea growing highlands.
TRFK 301/5, a drought tolerant clone suited to Bomet’s altitude, made up the larger share of the handout. It is prized for its reliable yields and a smooth, less astringent cup that is favoured in premium orthodox and green teas.
Alongside it, farmers also received TRFCA SFS 150, a hardy, high volume clone that performs well even during cold or dry spells. This makes it a dependable choice for lifting output in the region.
With the elite varieties now in the ground, farmers across Kapkoros and Boito are positioned for higher yields and better quality leaf. The distribution underscores KALRO-TRI’s growing role in making Bomet’s tea sector more productive and competitive.
By Benedict Aoya
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