Tea farmers have reason to smile after earnings from the export of black tea increased by a whopping 22% in the first half of 2020. This is in comparison to the proceeds garnered within the similar period in 2019.
The earnings are said to have skyrocketed exponentially to hit the Ksh 68.9 Billion up from the 56.5 Billion posted in the first half of 2019. The welcome increase is attributed to increased tea output in the first six months of 2020 which leaped by 41% in comparison to the output from 2019.
According to the Kenya Bureau of statistics, the volume of tea exports between January and June hit 300.5 Million kilograms. This falls within the lock-down period as from mid-March when the country broadcasted its first case of the deadly Corona Virus.
The good riddance rocks the industry at a time when key stakeholders are at loggerheads. Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture appealed the move by Kenya Tea and Development Agency (KTDA) to challenge the appointment of a steering committee to oversee reforms in the sector.
KTDA moved to court to compel Cabinet Secretary (CS) Peter Munya to revoke the gazette notice validating the appointment of the team. The tea body rejected an eight-member team that was appointed by Mr. Munya to advise the government on the reforms that can help to streamline the tea sector in the country.
The agency accused CS Munya of illegally formulating the National Steering Committee on implementation of tea reforms, without any statutory and legal mandate. Further, Munya was accused of assigning specific roles to committee members.
Despite Kenya being the World’s leading producer and exporter of black tea, KTDA has been accused of systemic mal payment of farmers.