The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) has unveiled a transformative measure aimed at protecting the livelihood of over 700,000 smallholder tea farmers by installing anti-tampering gadgets on greenleaf weighing scales across its 71 factories.

This bold move is part of KTDA’s ongoing efforts to reinforce fairness and transparency in Kenya’s tea industry, which plays a vital role in the country’s economy.

For years, tea farmers have raised concerns about occasional cases of tampered scales at buying centres, which have led to inaccurate weighing of greenleaf—the very heart of farmers’ earnings.

Weights directly influence how much farmers are paid for their produce, and even minor discrepancies could result in substantial financial losses for the smallholders.

Responding to these challenges, KTDA has introduced advanced technology to restore confidence in the weighing process.

Read More

  1. Sex scam haunts Chebochok as his election as tea factory director nullified
  2. Court suspends swearing-in of Joseph Chebochok as Toror Tea Factory director
  3. Storm in a teacup: Election of Chebochok stirs turmoil in Kenyan tea sector

The newly installed gadgets, which come embedded with GSM cards, serve as a vigilant watchdog over the integrity of each transaction.

Any attempt to manipulate the weighing scales instantly triggers a real-time alert sent directly to factory managers and relevant officials, ensuring swift action is taken.

This system allows KTDA to detect and respond to any tampering issues in real time, putting farmers’ minds at ease.

Speaking on the initiative, Collins Bett, Managing Director of KTDA Management Services, highlighted the importance of these measures.

"The integrity of the greenleaf collection process is central to our mission of serving our smallholder tea farmers. These anti-tampering gadgets will provide peace of mind and ensure that every farmer is fairly compensated for their hard work," Bett stated.

""We are committed to making the entire tea value chain more transparent and efficient, and this is just one of the many steps we are taking toward this goal."

The anti-tampering technology is just one aspect of KTDA's broader strategy to modernise the tea sector.

Alongside this innovation, the agency continues to advance digital payment systems and streamline factory operations to enhance efficiency.

Additionally, KTDA has rolled out a mobile app and USSD service, empowering farmers to track their greenleaf weights, payments, and industry news with ease.

KTDA’s commitment to fair practices and transparency has strengthened its relationship with smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of Kenya’s tea industry.

By ensuring that every kilogram of tea leaf is accurately recorded and fairly compensated, the Agency is championing the rights of farmers and laying the groundwork for a more efficient, trustworthy tea supply chain.

With these innovative steps, KTDA is not only addressing immediate concerns but also future-proofing Kenya’s tea industry, ensuring it remains a vital and fair contributor to the national economy for years to come.