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 in his commodity.
Protecting the farm from disease
Climate change is the most challenging environmental issue which farmers like Frederick face today. Frederick’s farming ecosystem is experiencing rapid and significant changes in temperature, rainfall, and evaporation patterns. This has been linked to increased diseases and pests, meaning that some farmers have turned to using harmful pesticides. However, the Fairtrade Standards include strict requirements on pesticide use ‘We practice weeding [so we] don’t spray our teas with pesticides.’ This is more labour intensive but much better for the local ecosystem and the tea quality.
Impact of honeybees on climate change
Fredrick and twenty other tea farmers at his co- operative received ten beehives in February 2021, which they keep on one of the members lands to restore the local ecosystem. Increased pollination by bees leads to higher quantities of crops, improving their quality and enhancing resistance to pests. Cultivated plants such as tea, depend on pollination.
Not only does the beekeeping project enhance biodiversity in Rukuriri, but it’s an active response to the low wages in the tea industry. ‘When we harvest we will sell some of the honey and use some in our homes.’ Through the programme, local tea farmers are trained in all aspects of beekeeping, from establishing the hive to marketing and distributing their product.
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