KTDA Foundation Shines at Safari Park During ‘Farmer First’ Initiative Launch

Empowering Tea Farmers, Building Sustainable Communities

On July 3rd and 4th, 2025, the serene setting of Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, came alive as KTDA officially launched its transformative mantra: “Farmer First, Leave No Farmer Behind.” The event marked a turning point in Kenya’s tea sector, spotlighting the people who are the backbone of the industry—our smallholder tea farmers.

At the centre of this celebration stood the KTDA Foundation, proudly showcasing the programs and partnerships that continue to empower tea-growing communities across Kenya.

A Vision Rooted in Impact

As an official exhibitor, the KTDA Foundation took the opportunity to engage attendees in a powerful experience, highlighting the Foundation’s core pillars:

Health
Environmental Conservation & Sustainability
Economic Empowerment
Education

These pillars are designed not only to uplift the tea value chain but to build resilient farming communities capable of thriving economically, socially, and environmentally.

Economic Empowerment: Innovation That Changes Lives

Among the many highlights at the KTDA Foundation booth, the Economic Empowerment showcase stood out as a crowd favorite. Featuring three remarkable farmers who are turning challenges into opportunity, this section illustrated how diversification and value addition are key to unlocking sustainable incomes.

Charity: Cleaner Cooking for Healthier Homes

Charity’s display of Improved Cooking Stoves (Jikos) captured significant attention for their efficiency and health benefits. Her stoves not only reduce fuel consumption but also minimize indoor air pollution—essential in rural households.

All 19 stoves sold out, demonstrating both community interest in clean energy and Charity’s entrepreneurial excellence.

Mary: Adding Value with Fresh Yoghurt

Through KTDA Foundation’s support, Mary has added value to her dairy farming by producing fresh yoghurt—a nutritious and profitable product.

Her entire batch of 20 litres sold out during the event, reinforcing the market potential for value-added dairy products in rural Kenya.

Dickson: Soap Production for Community Impact

Dickson, another star of the event, showcased his locally made soap, offering both hygiene and economic benefits to his community.

He sold 14 out of 22 litres, a strong showing that validates agri-based micro-enterprises as sustainable income sources for farmers.

Building Futures: A Holistic Approach to Farmer Wellbeing

Each story shared during the launch reinforced the KTDA Foundation’s mission to take a holistic approach to farmer empowerment:

Health: Ensuring tea farmers and their families are physically able to work and prosper.
Environmental Conservation: Safeguarding the natural resources tea farming depends on.
Education: Equipping communities with the knowledge and tools they need to innovate and adapt.
Economic Empowerment: Creating multiple income streams beyond tea farming through enterprise development.

The launch event brought these pillars to life—not just through speeches or presentations, but through real-world success stories.

The Farmer First Commitment: More Than a Mantra

“Farmer First, Leave No Farmer Behind” is more than a slogan—it’s a guiding principle shaping every KTDA Foundation initiative. The overwhelming turnout, interest, and farmer success at Safari Park underscore a shared belief: when you invest in farmers, you invest in the future of Kenya’s tea industry.

The KTDA Foundation remains committed to scaling these impact-driven programs across Kenya’s tea-growing regions—because no farmer should be left behind.

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