The Mountain Journal
Business enterprises in the tea growing belt got a reprieve following circulation of millions of shillings injected from bonus payments.
In a spot check in parts of Murang’a, Kirinyaga and Embu counties, traders were stocking their business premises as the farmers withdrew money between Thursday and Saturday.
The farmers allied to Nduti, Ngere and Gacharage Rukuriri tea factories celebrates the bonuses over the increment compared to that of the previous year attributing the same to better market based on dollar exchange rates and quality green leaf.
Peter Karomo, a tea value chain expert, says the majority of the farmers have planned on usage of the bonus with some trooping in the banks to acquire fresh loans.
Karomo adds that as others make merry there are farmers out for fresh loans as the bonus payment was used to offset the previous loans.
He said KTDA leadership under Chairman Enos Njeru has educated the growers on finance literacy and the majority have benefitted as those misusing their resources in entertainment joints has reduced..
“ The merry-making in the marketplaces has reduced as more are responsible, with focusing on development and education of their children,” said Mr Karomo.
Nduti factory vice chairman Joe Mahugu said the bonus received by the growers is impressive at the rate of Sh 60.90 per kilogramme up from the previous of Sh46 per kilogramme.
“ Those who got more are those that over the years concentrated in the production of quality teas that attracted the buyers,” said Mahugu.
At Ngere Tea Factory, the business premises at Gatura, Kirwara did the best with the majority of the traders selling their stocks to the farmers.
A farmer Peter Mwaura said the bonus payment helps the growers complete their annual development programmes and educate their children, among other family plans.
“ I received Sh1.2 million and planned to renovate my family house and reserve Sh450,000 to pay for education of my children in the year,” said Mwaura, a farmer at Ngere.
KTDA Zone two board member Mr James Githinji advised the growers to prudently use the bonus money to support their families.
Githinji said in the bonus calculation Ngere factory received Sh1,971,926,120 from 31,805,260 kilogrammes of green leaf.
“ The farmers have been educated on financial literacy to help reduce wastage. We have joined hands with financial experts to ensure our farmers benefit from the bonus payment,” said Githinji.
Ngere factory received a bonus at the rate of Sh62 per kilogramme delivered in the period between July 1st, 2023 and this June 30.
At Gacharage tea factory, which paid the highest bonus payment of Sh62.80 per kilogramme, the farmers are flocking Mununga,and Kangari markets for shopping.
A director Simon Maina said at Gacharage the farmers are educated in financial literacy to enable them make wise decisions.
“We have responsible farmers who over the years have remained focused on the use of the bonus kitty,” said Maina.
Jadiel Kamau an electrician based at Kangari said he has been engaged by more than four tea farmers to assist in wiring rental buildings they expect to rent out.
“Tea farmers are shopping for goods they need most,” said Mr Kamau.
Rose Wambui said this year’s payment is above what they received last year based on production of quality green leaf.
Wambui said she received Sh790,000 as compared to the Sh649,000 of the previous year, following demand by the management at Gacharage of quality green leaf.
“ We should adhere to the instructions of KTDA for plucking quality green leaf to sustain the international market,” said Wambui.
