Tea factory directors praise farmers for relentless work

Rukuriri tea factory directors have praised farmers for their hard work after the factory emerged top for the best paid in the 2020-21 bonus despite factories’ drop in bonus.

Board chairman Joseph Rwanjau said the factory received Sh30.10 per kilo for the 2020-21  financial year. 

Rukuriri delivered 19.4 million kilos of green leaf, followed by Mungania with 19.2million kilos and Kathangariri 12.5 million kilos.

This indicates that the number of kilos delivered per factory impacted the number of bonuses as the amount paid per kilo followed the same sequence.

Rwanjau spoke on Tuesday at Rukuri factory grounds. He said through the farmers’ efforts the factory continues to maintain a good performance.

“I thank the farmers for their good work despite a drop compared to last year,” Rwanjau said.

“The bonus resulted in sales by the previous regime before reforms. I call on the farmers to be patient and allow new office bearers to achieve their target and improve the payments in the years 2021-22.”

The new directors took over the office in July this year.

Rwanjau promised an improved bonus in 2021-22.

He warned residents and leaders against politicising tea reforms as the rise in tea prices at Mombasa Tea Auction recorded a remarkable improvement.

“We warn those castigating leaders who spearheaded the reform process. The benefits will be witnessed in 2021-22 bonus,” Rwanjau said.

Enos Njeru, a board member, called on farmers to ensure good quality of green leaf delivery for a better market and price.

“The market demands consistency in quality and we should try our best to deliver that to attain the best payment,” Njeru said.

He urged farmers to gauge the new management with the financial year 2021-22.

Njeru said the plans are underway to purchase fertiliser manufactured locally to cut the cost and ensure it is delivered to farmers faster.

“I understand there are some farmers who didn’t get enough fertiliser that we gave them with the help of the state. Therefore, I tell the farmers that we are delivering the fertiliser by the end of this month,” he said.

Tea farmers in zone six, which comprises of Rukuriri, Mungania, and Kathangariri factories, received fertiliser worth Sh2,500 per 50kg bag after the government's intervention and offered Sh1 billion subsidy.

Factory companies pay a different second bonus rate per kilogramme of tea to farmers.

This rate depends on the factory income for the year based on the average price of tea fetched at the auction, costs of production, labour, and other related costs.

The costs are deducted from the factory income and the balance is paid to farmers as a second payment (bonus).

Factories also make a monthly payment to farmers for the overall kilogrammes delivered that month for Sh21 per kilo.

Edited by Kiilu Damaris