Nandi’s Chebut Tea Factory gets Sh79.1m boost for modernisation

Chebut Tea Factory in Nandi has received a Ksh79.1 million government grant for modernisation. The funding will upgrade machinery, improve processing efficiency and enhance tea quality and value addition. Mutahi Kagwe urged farmers to maintain quality plucking standards and support efforts to develop specialty teas and new markets. Tea farmers in Nandi County have reason…

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Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe speaking at Kapsara Tea Factory in Trans Nzoia County.-Photo/courtesy

CS Kagwe orders tea factories to reject poor quality leaf

Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe has ordered tea factories to reject poor quality green leaf that does not meet the two leaves and a bud standard. The government has allocated Ksh 7.1 billion to modernise tea factories, with Ksh 44.6 million going to Kapsara Tea Factory for a new withering plant. Kagwe said improving leaf quality,…

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Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe speaking at a local radio station. Photo/courtesy

Tea levy will not hurt farmers, Kagwe assures growers

Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe says the proposed 0.8% tea levy will be paid by buyers, not farmers, and will not reduce grower earnings. The levy will support farmer payments, research, infrastructure and marketing as Kenya seeks to protect tea through a Geographical Indication. Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe has said the proposed 0.8% tea…

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Gov’t targets threefold boost in bixa production for farmers

Government plans to triple Kenya’s annual bixa production to at least 3,000 tonnes through certified seedlings, extension services, farmer cooperatives and affordable financing. Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe said the initiative will increase farmer incomes, create jobs and strengthen rural economies by expanding the bixa value chain along the Coast. Farmers currently earn about Ksh 152,000…

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CS Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development Mutahi Kagwe in Kwale County. Photo/courtesy

Kwale sugar factory revival plan promises jobs, payouts

Government launches a multi stakeholder plan to revive Kwale International Sugar Company and restore jobs. Farmers to receive Ksh 66 million in pending payments as part of efforts to restart sugarcane production. Revival targets higher local sugar production, reduced imports and renewed economic activity across the Coast region. The national government has launched an ambitious…

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Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe-Photo|Courtesy

Kagwe defends tea levy as government bets on value addition

Kagwe defended the Tea Levy, saying it funds tea marketing, research and value addition, not farmers. Tea uptake has risen to 93 per cent, which he said disproves claims the levy has hurt sales. Gov’t handed over a Ksh360 million Sencha tea factory to Kangaita Tea Factory to boost value addition and farmer incomes. Agriculture…

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