Tea farmers in Kabianga Ward, Belgut Sub-County, have received a significant boost following the inauguration of a new tea buying centre and the commissioning of agricultural machinery aimed at improving productivity and streamlining processes.
The newly established Kapkusum Tea Buying Centre, opened on International Tea Day, is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency of green tea collection while maintaining high-quality standards. This facility is designed to provide farmers with a reliable and organized point of sale, thereby reducing the challenges faced in the green tea supply chain.
This development is part of a broader county initiative focused on improving tea production across the region. The county leadership emphasized the importance of aligning with the national government’s directive to ban green tea hawking. The new centre will ensure that tea leaf collection is conducted in an orderly manner, minimizing losses and ensuring quality control from the farm to the factory.
The county has been proactive in supporting tea farmers by constructing multiple tea buying centres, with the current figure standing at 74 across the region. These centres are strategically located to facilitate better access for farmers, improve green leaf quality, and ultimately secure higher returns for the growers. The investment in these facilities demonstrates a commitment to strengthening the tea sector as a key economic driver for the county.
In addition to the tea buying centre, the county has taken steps to support the dairy farming community in Kabianga. The Kabianga Farmers Dairy Cooperative recently received a range of essential agricultural machinery, including a tractor, forage harvester, silage wrapper, and trailer. These tools are aimed at boosting the efficiency of forage harvesting and feed preparation processes.
The availability of subsidized machinery for these tasks will help reduce the overall cost of feed production for dairy farmers. This is a critical factor for improving the profitability and sustainability of dairy farming in the area. The cooperative, which processes over 20,000 litres of milk daily, stands as a testament to the growing strength and organization of dairy farmers in the sub-county.
This machinery is expected to contribute to increased productivity and provide an enabling environment for dairy farmers to scale up their operations. By easing the burden of manual labour and improving feed quality through mechanized harvesting and silage preparation, farmers are better positioned to enhance milk yields and profitability.
The county’s agricultural strategy also includes efforts to increase fodder availability. Earlier initiatives saw the distribution of 3,000 kilograms of Boma Rhodes and other pasture seeds to farmers. This effort has resulted in the establishment of over 1,200 acres of improved fodder, ensuring a steady and reliable source of feed for dairy cattle.
Complementing these infrastructure and machinery improvements, the county has also focused on waiving cess fees for tea farmers and investing in road infrastructure. Better roads facilitate easier and quicker transport of tea leaves from farms to buying centres and factories, reducing wastage and improving quality.
These combined efforts signal the county’s determination to build a supportive environment for both tea and dairy farmers. By improving access to resources, infrastructure, and modern agricultural equipment, the county is creating pathways for increased productivity, higher incomes, and sustainable growth for farmers.
The launch of the Kapkusum Tea Buying Centre and the introduction of advanced agricultural machinery mark a significant step forward for Kabianga farmers. These investments are expected to yield positive outcomes in the near future, enhancing the livelihoods of farmers and strengthening the county’s agricultural sector as a whole.
