Ichocho spoke at Ogembo tea factory in Kisii on Friday during the graduation of 320 farmers who completed training on economic empowerment and other income-generating activities.
“Today, we have visited who have visited farmers who have established tea nurseries with climate-resilient tea clones, tree and fruit nurseries, chicken hatcheries, and farmers who have embraced new production methods,” said Ichocho.
He encouraged farmers to replace moribund tea bushes which are 50 years and above saying they are no longer productive.
“We are trying to help them with drought-resistant and high yielding tea clones. These new clones will help farmers get high produce because producing one kilogram per one bush but with new clones, they can get three kilos,” he said.
During the function, KTDA showcased newly planted climate resilience tea clones that have been planted by farmers.
So far, over one million climate-resistant clones have been planted by farmers.
He said farmers are trained on how to sustain production of high quality.
“The issue of quality tea is very key so that we get good prices at the auction,” he added.
To reduce the cost of production, farmers should embrace mechanical plucking and pruning.
