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{
    "id": 1425162,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1425162/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 99,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Small-scale tea farming in Kenya accounts for about 65 per cent of the total tea production in the country, with the rest being produced by multinationals. Over the years, the tea sector in Kenya has continued to be a major foreign exchange earner for our country and has become a catalyst for the growth of rural economies. With the right political goodwill from His Excellency the President and the Deputy President, currently from the Kenya Kwanza Government, which is fronting tea reforms--- We had a tea engagement and reform sector meeting in Kericho County last year – that has started to take root, smallholder farmers will see higher market dividends. As we entrench these tea reforms, mostly targeting small-scale tea farmers and local farmers, we recognize that the sector is one of the key drivers of Kenya's socio- economic development. It is a key pillar in economic growth and provides a direct source of livelihood to over 750,000 farmers and employs millions of people. In Nandi County, for example, out of six sub-counties, four sub-counties grow tea. Some of the reforms already in place include the introduction of a minimum market price, the fertilizer subsidy initiative, an increase in monthly payments to farmers, timely payment of bonuses and a reduction of interest rates to farmers by financial institutions. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, with the increase in rainfall this year, we expect an increase in monthly payments to farmers, timely payment of bonuses and reduction of interest rates to farmers by financial institutions. With the increase in rainfall this year, we expect tea production to increase significantly. It is worth noting that some tea factories are no longer picking tea, for example, in Bomet and many other counties, because tea production is too much because of heavy rainfall and subsidised fertilizer by the Government. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we call upon relevant authorities to ensure steady market and price stability for our tea farmers. We also assure our tea farmers that we will support and assist in legislating. As you are aware, there is a Tea (Amendment) Bill on the Floor of the House proposing necessary reforms to ensure maximum production and better returns. It is also a call to Kenyans, especially those who take hard drinks like alcohol, to reduce its intake and consume more tea to ensure we improve on local consumption and protect our farmers. I know a number of us take other types of drinks, but I urge Kenyans to drink tea in the morning and evening."
}