The Ministry of Agriculture is determined to work with all tea industry stakeholders globally to transform Kenya’s tea industry and make it more profitable and sustainable for the benefit of all tea exporters and smallholder farmers.
CS Mithika Linturi this morning attended the launch of the China-Kenya Tea Trade Center and signing ceremony of partnership between Kenyan orthodox and specialty tea manufacturers and Benny Tea/Fujian Starchina Tea Company in Fujian, China.
The partnership provides an opportunity to radically transform the livelihoods of Kenyan smallholder tea farmer since Benny Tea will support KTDA and Independent tea producer factories with equipment and technology transfer.
The Ministry together with the Tea Board of Kenya will work with Benny Tea to ensure Kenyan tea sold through this cooperation and value added at the center will bear the Produce of Kenya mark as it target to achieve 5 million kilos of tea traded between both partners annually.
Present were, Chinese Government officials, Benny Tea Company Chairman Zhang, Tea Board of Kenya CEO Willy Mutai, KTDA Holdings CEO Wilson Muthaura and other tea sector players.