The Agriculture Food Authority (AFA) has moved in to end the dispute between a section of tea growers in Ichichi village who wish to shift their affiliation from Githambo Tea Factory.
Over 250 tea growers in Kangema, Murang’a sought to be relocated to Gacharage Tea Factory in the neighbouring constituency, a move Githambo factory has resisted.
In the past two months, the growers from the four buying centres, Nduu ini A, Nduu ini B, Gikigie and Kiangenye boycotted plucking their green leaf demanding clearance from Githambo to join the neighbouring processing plant.
The farmers representatives from the tea collection centres, reaffirmed their decision to relocate to Gacharage citing the distance from the area to Githambo of over 20 kilometres as the main impediment to their business.
In the meeting held in a Murang’a hotel, the management of Githambo opposed the decision by the farmers to relocate, saying most of the growers were owing financial institutions loans guaranteed by the factory.
A source divulged that the management of Gacharage was divided on the subject, as the chairman Paul Kagema welcomed the growers to affiliate with the factory.
AFA Interim Director General Antony Muriithi formed the task force to investigate the farmers’ complaints and break the impasse.
He said the team from the regulators office has met the growers and the management of the two factories and was looking at the best resolution for farmer’s interest.
The growers declared their intention to relocate their shares to Gacharage immediately KTDA announced bonus payment for the year.
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