Relief for Kirinyaga Farmers as NTZDC commissions 2nd Tea Factory

Relief for Kirinyaga Tea farmers as NTZDC commissions 2nd Factory

By Jane Muia / Published May 11, 2022 | 12:04 pm

KEY POINTS

The factory has two lines with the first line, which can process 7 million kilograms of green leaf annually already installed. The second line, which will soon be commissioned, is dedicated to diversifying and adding value to tea through processing speciality and orthodox teas (including purple tea), which will help sustain the organization's conservation mandate.

Indigenous tea picker picking tea.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The construction of the Gatitu tea factory in Kirinyaga County commenced in June 2016. The Groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Factory was officiated by H.E. The Deputy President, Hon. William Ruto.

Nyayo Tea Zones Development Corporation (NTZDC) is set to commission Gatitu Tea Factory in Kirinyaga county today, May 11, an event that will be attended by Agriculture CS Peter Munya.

This factory will serve the tea-growing counties of Kirinyaga, Embu, Nyeri and Tharaka Nithi, which have already started delivering green tea to the factory.

Started in 1986, The Nyayo Tea Zones Development Corporation operates the Kipchabo Tea Factory in Nandi Central District. The factory processes and markets tea produced from Nandi South, Nandi North, Kakamega and Kaptarakwa zones, producing 1.5 million kilograms of the green leaf made tea per annum.

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The construction of the Gatitu tea factory in Kirinyaga County commenced in June 2016. The Groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Factory was officiated by H.E. The Deputy President, Hon. William Ruto.

The main objective of the Gatitu Factory project is to maximize the Corporation’s returns from green leaf while avoiding post-harvest losses which occur during flush periods.

The factory will contribute to developing infrastructures such as roads and electricity. It will also majorly impact tea production in the area as farmers are expected to boost production because of easy access to the factory.

The factory will create at least 100 direct employment opportunities for the youths in its locality and sustain livelihoods for over 5,000 casual workers in the catchment zones. The factory will also create business opportunities to supply various goods and services.