Sharon, small scale farmer from Rukuriri, nestled in Runyenjes Constituency of Embu County, the days begin early. Among the many farmers in the area, Sharon Nyakio Muriithi rises with the dawn, ready to tend to her tea bushes. For years, Sharon has relied on tea farming, delivering her green leaf to Rukuriri Tea Factory, the economic backbone of her rural community.
But even as she contributed to the growth of the tea industry, Sharon battled quietly with a basic, daily challenge—grinding maize to make flour for her family.
Like most households in Rukuriri, ugali was the staple dish on Sharon’s table. Yet the lack of an accessible, affordable milling service meant she had to travel long distances—sometimes up to 6 kilometers—to find a posho mill. The cost of transport, long queues, and unreliable machines made every trip a burden.
“I would spend a whole day just to grind a few kilos of maize,” Sharon says. “By the time I got back home, I was tired, and sometimes the maize would be wet from the rain or the flour would mix with dirt due to poor milling conditions.”
The problem wasn’t just hers. Women, the elderly, schoolchildren sent on errands—everyone in the area felt the weight of not having a reliable mill. Maize would sometimes go bad in storage. Families skipped meals. And for many, the only alternative was to sell their maize cheaply and buy processed flour from distant shops at double the cost.
A Mill Funded by Farmers, for Farmers
In 2022, Rukuriri Tea Factory, through its Fairtrade Premium Fund, implemented a project that would shift the narrative—a community posho mill. The Fairtrade Premium, which is money earned in addition to the price of tea under the Fairtrade certification system, is reinvested into social and economic development projects decided by farmers themselves.
Sharon, a member of the Fairtrade committee, recalls the planning process: “We wanted something that would help us daily—not just with tea, but with life. A posho mill was something we had all needed for years.”
With Premium funds, the Rukuriri Fairtrade Posho Mill was constructed just a few meters from the tea buying center. It was fitted with a modern diesel-powered machine to ensure continuous service even when electricity was unavailable. The mill was designed not only to process maize efficiently but also to be managed by a local youth group, creating employment and promoting responsible use of the resource.
A New Chapter for Sharon and Her Community
Since its launch, the mill has transformed Sharon’s household. She now walks less than 10 minutes to grind her maize. No more boda bodas, no more lost time, and no more children going to bed hungry because the flour ran out.
“It’s not just flour—it’s freedom,” Sharon says with a proud smile. “I can now plan my meals, sell extra flour at the local market, and even save the transport money I used to spend.”
Positive Impacts of the Rukuriri Fairtrade Posho Mill
- Improved food security: Families now have access to fresh flour consistently.
- Reduced transportation costs: Farmers no longer travel long distances to access milling services.
- Time savings: Women like Sharon can dedicate more time to farming, business, or caring for their families.
- Increased income: Sharon began a micro-business selling flour, which supplements her tea income.
- Youth employment: The mill is run by local youth, giving them practical skills and steady income.
- Stronger community ownership: The project was designed, funded, and is maintained by the tea farmers themselves, fostering accountability and pride.
The Bigger Picture
For Sharon and hundreds of other tea farmers under the Rukuriri Tea Factory, the Fairtrade Premium is more than just a fund—it is a tool for empowerment. The posho mill project is a testament to what rural communities can achieve when they are trusted to lead their own development.
“This mill may not look like much from the outside,” Sharon says, glancing at the small cement building humming with activity. “But it has changed how we eat, how we work, and how we live. That is real development.”
Through the Rukuriri Fairtrade Posho Mill, the community has milled more than maize—they have ground away years of hardship and turned them into a future full of dignity, self-reliance, and shared progress.
Comments are closed