Diversification of income with Charles Mugendi Njagi and peter irungu salim
Tea farming in Kenya is synonymous with intense labour and low wages. This has been exacerbated by the impacts of the pandemic and the climate crisis which is continuing to put livelihoods at risk. In times of oversupply and market speculation, commodity prices can fall below
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Ways to protect their tea crop from climate adverse conditions
Nicholas has been a tea farmer in Rukuriri since 1992 and says, ‘I learnt from my parents who were also tea farmers.’ Nicholas’ ¾ acre farm produces around 4,000 kilograms of tea annually. As a tea farmer, income is unreliable and the work is intensive. This
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Creating tea opportunities for the youth
For many tea famers around the world like Benson, ‘the challenge with tea farming is the fluctuating prices… it is impossible to make a profit when tea prices are low’. Fairtrade sales are important, so that farmers and their family have access to a steady income.
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Climate friendly initiatives with Fairtrade
Nancy Wangira Munyi, 33, grew up in a tea farming family. She is married into one as well. Now 33, Nancy farms her own half-acre plot, part of the Rukuriri Factory in in Embu County, Mt.Kenya region. She was harvesting about 2,500 kilos a year –
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Creating sustainable and financial Solutions in the wider community
Fredrick Munene Nyaga is a tea farmer in Rukuriri, who grows tea and other crops on land inherited from his family. Fredrick grows 1,200 kilograms annually, using techniques which he learned from his parents. Faced with numerous obstacles, Fredrick has found confidence as a Fairtrade farmer
Learn MoreTea Farmers benefit from financial support enabling secure and stable livelihoods
Lucy is a supervisor at Rukuriri Tea Factory and has been an employee since 2012. She oversees the whole process of tea processing; from receiving the tea to selling it to buyers. Lucy was born into a family of tea farmers, and following the family tradition,
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Creating extra sources of income – Beehive Project
Many tea farmers, only own a small number of tea bushes. The money they earn from selling their green tea leaf simply won’t be enough to feed their families and pay for their children to go to school. Especially if there’s a bad harvest– something happening
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Revolving Fund – Low interest flexible loans
Charity Muthoni started out at the Rukuriri Tea Factory Company in 2011 as a general worker, before becoming a farmer six years ago. So many women tea farmers like Charity are under immense pressure to earn an income from their tea plants, while also running their
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Creating extra sources of income – Milk Plant
Many small-scale farmers at Geoffrey’s tea Factory won’t earn enough from their tea bushes to live off – especially during a challenging year with a bad harvest, like farmers have experienced lately. ‘The majority of our farmers own around 500 bushes and the income from this
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