Kenya is predominantly an agricultural-based economy, with the tea sector generating about 26% of the total export earnings and about 4% gross domestic product (GDP). In recent years, however, the country has witnessed unstable trends in tea production associated with climate-driven stresses. This means that local smallholder tea farmers and their communities are on the front lines of climate change risks due to their dependency on stable temperatures and consistent rainfall patterns. These communities do not have the resources to combat climate change effects on their own and further degradation of natural resources and ecosystems will increase poverty, hunger and economic inequality.
Currently, small-scale farmers account for 60% for all the tea produced in Kenya majority of these small-scale farmers are under the Kenya Tea Development Agency Ltd (KTDA). Therefore KTDA through the KTDA Foundation is focused on promoting climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience-building among smallholder tea farmers for sustainable tea production through sustainable programs. We have a firm belief in collaboration, we have been able to accelerate the incredible work the Kenyan government and other stakeholders in the tea sector towards climate change mitigation through tree growing with tea farmers and their communities; the Foundation also heavily invests in the promotion of and access to clean and renewable energy for both farmers and KTDA Managed Factories.
Tirgaga tree planting exercise in region 5
Theta Tea Factory – Tree planting and water tank donation
Nyankoba Tea Factory – Tree planting and water tank donation
Mungania Tea Factory – Tree planting and water tank donation donation
Empowering Rural Communities and Households in Kenya with Renewable Energy (ERCHRE)
Status: Completed Period: April 2019 – May 2022
